Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:16-19
This last couple of weeks has been full of opportunities to reconnect with some of our guests whom we have sheltered. I have also had the opportunity to make connections in the county and city government this week on behalf of Severe Weather Shelter Network. It is hard to believe it is time to begin our volunteer recruitment for fall, but there it is.
I have been deeply touched this week as I have had conversation with some of our friends living on the streets. The depth of their faith never ceases to amaze me. I stand in awe of their ability to remember from whom they receive their daily portion. It humbles me because I do not always remember to give appropriate thanks…or to remember from whom my needs are supplied.
My devotions this week have been focusing on Yahweh Shalom. My God is Peace. Peace that passes understanding, faithful in all He says, does and is. Shalom, peace with God, peace with creation and others, peace with myself. This passage was given as a meditation piece this week. What does it have to do with Shalom?
I found myself focusing mostly on the last verse that says “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.”
You yourselves were aliens in Egypt. According to Scripture we are aliens, sojourners passing through this world on our way to our home. Our home is not of this world, but a kingdom centered in Christ. Christ, who was Himself homeless while He lived on this earth. He in fact said, Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. He was an alien passing through on His way back home.
Perhaps our friends have it right. Perhaps by living on the streets they are more open and able to hear the voice of God. Perhaps their prayer life is a bit more rich because they have less to tie them to this world. Perhaps…
I would issue this challenge for us to prayerfully consider. Pray for Shalom to enfold our community. Pray for Shalom to enfold us individually and as church families. Pray for the revelation of God’s Shalom as we journey together in this world. Seek to become a conduit of God’s Shalom as you encounter people throughout your day.
The Peace that passes understanding has an incredible power. It gives entrance to a life that perhaps has not been open to the love of God before. It builds relationships that were not possible before. It softens our own hard edges as we seek to be all that God has invited us to be in Christ.
Some day we will cross into the Kingdom eternal. I am trusting God to lead me there. I am just an alien, a sojourner passing through on my way Home. God help me to love the other sojourners along the way and invite them to join me on my journey that leads directly to Your front door.
Shalom my friends ~