The Refugee

I typically post once a week on Tuesdays. However, this week called for 2 posts...go big or go home, right?

Politics are hard for me. God made people who are incredibly gifted in leading communities, states, and countries. This gift was not given to me…and I am 100% okay with that. When politics begin to be discussed, my eyes glaze over and my brain shuts off. I’ve got nothing.

That disclaimer is important as I address a very hot, sensitive topic that is rocking our American world right now. {The refugee.}

I know very little regarding what is actually happening at the federal level. To my grandmother’s great shock and disappointment, I do not watch the news…like ever. And, my sacred time of listening to NPR while driving home from work has now been replaced with Raffi Pandora and Air 1 as Luke and I be-bop around town.

But what I do know is this…

One: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect; therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” -- Matthew 5:43-48

I don’t know who you consider neighbor or who you consider enemy, but every single person on each of these lists was created by God and He desires relationship with them. Something that has been easy to do with all this talk about "Refugees", "them", "they", is forget that these are real people. People who are in crisis, who are vulnerable, and who need a lot of hope. {I keep thinking about the poor mommas with babies. Where's the pack 'n play, y'all?! Yeesh!}

I think God called us to love our enemy and pray for them because they are not the true enemy…

Two: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” -- Ephesians 6: 10-18

Friends, brothers and sisters, we are fooling ourselves if we think any of this is happening by chance or that it is a “worldly” matter. The refugee crisis that we are facing…war torn countries, religious persecution, people fleeing for their lives, people’s basic needs not being met, families being separated, children dying, governmental unrest, Christians becoming polarized and divided… None of this is by chance. Pray for the refugees, pray for our leaders, pray for the leaders around the world, pray for your Christian brothers and sisters who think similarly to you, pray for your Christian brothers and sisters who think differently than you.

And, pray is what I am going to do. For the month of February, I will be posting once a day on Facebook and Instagram {sorry, not sorry}. I will be posting who or what I am praying for that day. I invite you all to join me. Let’s get on our knees before the King of Kings and fight this spiritual battle!

Photo cred to wix.com gallery.