You And Refugees

Whatever your political position is on refugees in America, you probably have a good point. I personally may agree with much of it and I may personally disagree with some of it. But I really don’t care.

What I do care about is what Jesus cares about. And as a member of The Bridge family, I care about how seriously you take God’s command to love, care for, provide for, and befriend those who need us.

Your political position doesn’t matter to me. But your spiritual activity does. Whether or not you participate in loving the unloved and befriending the friendless are spiritual matters. And God’s Kingdom is all about these things.

This weekend we have Exodus World Service presenting a huge opportunity for all of us at The Bridge. They exist solely to reach out to, connect with, befriend and show hospitality to those in our area who have had to flee their homeland and now find themselves strangers in our midst. This is what God’s Word says in regards to this:

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself... I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34 NIV).

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NIV).

More than being Americans, we are members of God’s Kingdom, and he requires us to look for those who need us most and receive them with love and compassion, and provide for their needs. That was Jesus’ point with The Good Samaritan story.

So whether or not you become a sponsoring or hospitality family, or provide support for those who are, God wants you to play a part. What part you play is between you and God, but I urge you, pray about it. Ask him where he wants you to fit in. What does he want you to do?

The difference you make in someone’s life in the months to come may very well have an impact for generations.