Strangers Don't Have To Be Strange

TODAY’S READING: 1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 

SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 1:1-2

“To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout...  ...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

OBSERVATION:

I joined my kids at a school assembly.  The focus of this assembly was “stranger danger.”  Actually, they were undoing some damage that they have found in the “stranger danger” teaching.  Stranger danger taught that if you did not know somebody they were dangerous.  They have realized that seeing every stranger as a threat has hindered some children from getting help that they need in crisis.  This assembly helped kids to identify potentially dangerous strangers and how to identify potentially helpful strangers.  The thought that I get as I read this passage is that as Christians I think sometime we feel our job is to be a threat to a world that doesn’t Know God.  I also think the world see us and many times thinks “stranger danger”.

Sometimes I think that we misplace or displace ourselves as Christians in the world as strange, not necessarily as helpful strangers.  Police, firemen, soldiers, Dr.’s are all strangers in the sense that we do not know them personally.  But we know we can call on them for help.  I pray that Christians take on that same reputation in the community.  I think this word stranger in this context means a new person with a fresh and life giving perspective - someone that embodies godly values and principles that may be heard of but not necessarily known.  Someone whom you’d be glad to meet.  There is a contrast in lifestyle & beliefs - but this contrast should highlight the goodness of God in your life - the abundance of grace and peace.

APPLICATION:

I will strive to be a stranger that people are glad they met.  I will focus on living and being the things that God has called me to be.  I will look for way to be a blessing to others.

PRAYER:

Father, as I bring the good news of Christ as a stranger to people, I pray that you will help me to be a breath of fresh air.  Help me to received a blessing and not just strange.  Help the message to be as lived as it is spoken.  In Jesus name - AMEN!