After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called My Son.
(Matthew 2:13-15)
It is easy to forget these verses when reading about the birth of our Savior. Jesus sought refuge from the Egyptians quickly after His birth, while He was at an age where it was not necessarily His decision, it was as a result of His coming into the world. His family fled. They sought help in their time of need from a different people group. Would you have taken Him in?
For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.(Matthew 25:35-36)
I would like to begin this by saying that the way that I view the world around me comes from a lens of Jesus. I know that I am not always right, in fact I think that I rarely am. However, I believe that Scripture and the actions of Jesus are true and worth looking at when seeking out a virtuous lifestyle. My faith informs my beliefs, the way I live my life, and my political stances. I never really intended for my blogs to be so politically driven, but as of late that has been part of my struggle as it has become a part of everyday life.
I have kept my eye on the news and particularly the Middle East for some time now. In many ways I do not know what to think. I have tried to think what it would be like living in the circumstances that so many of these people are experiencing, but I honestly cannot imagine. I believe that Christianity fosters a belief in Shalom and hospitality.
In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight–a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.
(Cornelius Plantinga)
I believe that “the way things ought to be” is what we are striving for on this earth. While I know that most likely we will not reach that in this life, that does not mean that we should set our crosses down and live life carelessly but rather we should bear our cross and point others to Jesus, the one who took all of our shortcomings and sins. In this, I find it hard to not care for my neighbor. This statement can sound kind of arrogant, but I am a very compassionate person. It is a part of who I am and maybe that is why this subject gets to me.
I believe that we should be caring for the refugees, who in my opinion fall under the category of neighbor. I struggle to put my feelings into words on this issue, that is why there are so many quotes. However, I am not imploring you to take in a bunch of refugees tonight, but find an organization to support. Help the orphans and widows (James 1:27). In addition, look to those hurting in the communities around you, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, in your church, and in your family. I promise they are there. You might not know it, you may be ignoring it, but they are there.
We have an obligation, as Christians, to love, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of our safety, and regardless of our fears. This is what pains me the most. The divides that are occurring in our nation stem from mutual feelings in my opinion. We are afraid, but love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). We all have our reasons for fear, some right and some wrong, but do not let fear be the emotion that controls your actions. If we choose love and live a life that forms that truth in us, then we have nothing to fear. Some days that is the hardest thing to believe, but that is what it looks like to live a life for Christ and that is the life we are called to live.
When we ignore the prostituted child, we actually lend our hand to their abuse. When we ignore the widow and the orphan in their distress, we actually add to their pain. When we ignore the slave who remains captive, it’s us who is entrapping them. When we forget the refugee, it’s actually us who is displacing them. When we choose not to help the poor and the needy, we actually rob them. Perhaps the only fair thing to say is that when we forsake the lives of others, we actually forsake our own.
(Joel Houston)
Love is a choice and we are called to it. Some days I do not want to at all, but it is not about me or my comforts. I am still learning that and will be for the rest of my life. I think we all will in many ways, but if we can start living a life that takes a step towards hospitality, if we can open our hands just a little bit more than usual, then I think Christ will do a work in us that we will never take for granted. I think that love will become the easier choice for us. I think that Christ will become all the more present in our day-to-day lives and I long for that to happen.