Think of this for a moment: We are all foreigners in the kingdom of God. No one is native to the place where God reigns; we are all invited and, by grace, we are made citizens.
We do well to keep this in mind as we encounter every person along our way. Each of them is no more "the other" to God than we are.
This inclusive God invites you again today to stand in the Presence, to dwell in God's land.
When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Luke 7:9-10
Jesus found faith in a foreigner. This centurion man did not worship at Jesus’ church, he didn’t teach God’s Word, he didn’t follow the traditions of Jesus. Yet he had more faith than Jesus had seen in all of Israel. Where did that faith come from?
Earlier in the story we are told that this Roman military officer worked with the Jewish elders. So maybe he learned about Jesus’ great deeds from the elders. Or perhaps he saw how the elders lived and worked, and found truth in their way of life. Unfortunately, they do not tell us how the centurion came to have such great faith.
God is working all over this world. God does not work only inside a certain church or people. God is present to all people. Faith is one of God’s great mysteries. We cannot judge or predict who will have faith. You never know when God could be using you to witness to another person. You never know when a stranger or foreigner could witness to you.
Brenda Thompson
God, may the world have faith in you. May your healing powers be seen and known everywhere. Amen.
Travel through this day
Knowing there is no confining
The love of God,
And no borders to cross
Between you and God's presence.
Pray that your life might also be
So open
That God's love in you knows
No barriers,
Providing free passage for others.