You Just Never Know

Hebrews 13:2
2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I heard one of the best testimonies from a young woman last evening that I have ever heard, and it got me to thinking, you just never know when or how you can affect somebody for Christ. Let me share what I mean. This young woman's story is sadly a common one that included a broken family, bad friends and relationships, etc. The turning point in her life was a change in school. She met some new friends that cared about her and invited her to youth group. Nothing big, nothing overt, she just simply said that they invited her to youth group on a Wednesday after school and she felt like, "Sure...why not?".

She went on to say that she never could have imagined what happened. She immediately was taken in by the youth group and the Youth Pastor in particular. The Youth Pastor understood his students, he was cool and kind, he related to her and her friends, he met her at the point where she was in her life and as she said, (to paraphrase) shattered her negative image of church. Fast forward a few years later and this young woman is saved, serving in her church, on fire for the Lord and a witness to all those around her. A true blessing!

I have been thinking about her story all evening in relation both to the passage above and to Jesus Christ and his example in the Gospels. As we think about Jesus in the Gospels, he shattered the image of what church was to people- he met people where they were, he dines with them in their homes, he attended their events, he spoke to them on their level, he lived as they lived. He drew people to him and imparted his love in a manner that was relational and understanding to them. No need for watering down, just a sincerity that showed brightly the love he had for the lost. That is Jesus, that is our model, the person that we should wisely follow in our walk (Eph 5:15-17).

And the passage from Hebrews has been with me all night. When this young woman walked into that church for the first time she was extended the hand of Christian love and hospitality. That church and that Youth Pastor did not know her. They did not know what her story was or where she came from. Yet they showed her the love of Jesus Christ, and "unawares" they helped to give her a new life in Jesus Christ. This is our call.

There is an old saying that goes like this, "You may be the only Bible a person may ever read." Think about that and the impact you may have on the lives of others. And the next time you have a chance to entertain and be hospitable to someone, remember...you just never know who that might be.