Back to School

Pause

The halls at school are a study of opposites.

They are either filled with people walking, running, talking, bumping along — a sea of humanity with differing currents.

Or they are eerily empty and quiet.

Notice how your life reflects this same dichotomy of hustle and hush.

And notice where you encounter God in both.

Listen

Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Think

Today’s scripture reminds me of a favorite hymn by Brian Wren, “I come with Joy.” I think particularly of the words in the third verse:

“As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.”

That sounds sort of like the blessing that happens when, as the writer of Hebrews says, by opening our homes to guests, we might be hosts to angels without knowing it. The idea that guests or strangers could be angels among us is beautiful and exciting.

Who will Christ’s love introduce us to next? What friends are waiting to be made? Open yourself to new relationships and see what surprises await.

Lauren Holder

Pray

God of love, you created me in your image to share your love with family, friends, and strangers alike. May I open my heart and my home to discover your love in others. Amen.

Go

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Dan Schutte in “Here I am Lord” (1995)