Read Leviticus 19:33-34
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19 NLT)
The Doors have long been one of my favorite bands and a major artistic influence. Jim Morrison’s profound and provocative lyrics, combined with the band’s eclectic and transcendent sound, explored themes that were often ahead of their time. Jim himself was sometimes downright prophetic, once predicting that future generations would combine different musical styles in innovative ways. In a 1969 interview, he specifically mentioned the fusion of “black” music and country western, a prediction that has been realized in various forms of contemporary music.[i] Taylor Swift, for instance, has successfully blended elements of country, pop, and other genres throughout her career, exemplifying the kind of musical evolution Morrison foresaw. He also suggested a third element might be “electronics,” which has indeed become a dominant force in modern music production across numerous genres.
One of their most iconic songs, “People Are Strange,” captures the essence of alienation and isolation that many of us experience at times. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of feeling like an outsider:
“People are strange when you’re a stranger,
Faces look ugly when you’re alone.
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted,
Streets are uneven when you’re down.”
These words resonate with the human experience of feeling disconnected and out of place in society. We’ve all had moments where the world seems hostile, faces appear unfriendly, and we feel unwanted or misunderstood.
However, Scripture offers us a powerful counterpoint to this cynicism and isolation. In Leviticus 19:33-34 (NLT), we read:
“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
This passage reminds us that God calls us to embrace those who might feel like strangers or outsiders. We are instructed to treat them as if they were native-born, with love and respect. This command is rooted in the Israelites’ own experience as foreigners in Egypt, encouraging empathy and compassion.
Furthermore, Ephesians 2:19 extends this concept into the New Testament, declaring that in Christ, we are no longer strangers and foreigners but citizens and family members in God’s household. This verse offers a profound shift in perspective – from alienation to inclusion, from isolation to belonging.
While “People Are Strange” captures the pain of feeling like an outsider, Scripture guides us towards a different reality. In God’s kingdom, there are no strangers. We are all welcomed, loved, and included as valuable members of God’s family. This truth transforms our outlook, enabling us to see others not as strange or threatening, but as fellow citizens in God’s household.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of this inclusive love. We should actively seek out those who feel like outsiders and welcome them into our communities. By doing so, we reflect God’s heart and help others experience the belonging and acceptance that we have found in God.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In God’s family, there are no strangers – only siblings waiting to be embraced.PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for welcoming us into your family. Help us to see others through your eyes of love and inclusion. Give us the courage to reach out to those who feel like strangers, showing them the belonging and acceptance found in your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[i] Jim Morrison, “The Future of Music,” YouTube video, 1:23, posted by ” Michael Gosselin,” May 4, 2006, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS3dIyHpAgc. (Accessed June 20, 2024).
Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.