God’s Positioning System
By Vera Entwistle of Taipei, Taiwan (World Service Corps)
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. —Hebrews 13:2 NRSV
Have you ever been lost and stopped a stranger to ask the way? Like me, do you just follow their directions? Why do we follow directions from a stranger, often without any hesitation?
When we moved to a new city, it relieved us to have a global positioning system (GPS) in our car to help us navigate new streets and highways. As time went on we would offer rides to friends who had lived in the city for some time, and often they would take us another way. Later, returning home, I would ignore the shortcut and go the way most familiar to me. I did not want to lose my way.
We lived in Shanghai, China, for three years. When we ventured out alone, we soon learned what to do when we did lose our way. We stood on a street corner with a map in our hand, and soon five or six Chinese people surrounded us wanting to help. Most could not speak English, but that did not deter them. At times they disagreed with each other on our best route. We learned to patiently wait until they came to a consensus. Sometimes they would offer to walk with us to our destination.
Jesus said, “I am the Way.” As disciples, I think God calls those who find the way to guide others. At times we may realize we do not speak the same language as our new friends, but with patience we can still communicate the message of love and acceptance.
Prayer for Peace
You are our compass, God. You sent your son to walk in our shoes and show us the way. We would follow in his footprints. We would follow him to peace.
Spiritual Practice: The International Community
Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.
Peace Covenant
Today, God, when a stranger asks the way, I will show her, not just tell her.
