Stranger Danger Cannot be Our Final Response
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)
I love the famous quote by William Butler Yeats, "There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met." I love talking to people of all ages. When I was younger, you could walk up to someone standing in line at the grocery store and converse. But in the last 20 years, we've taught our children the phrase "Stranger Danger." Those little ones are now grown and raising their children. "Stranger Danger" is a necessary lesson, but I mourn the days when people could visit and share more freely.
Jesus calls us to care for the stranger. My struggle with Stranger Danger is that not every stranger is a predator. Most strangers would go out of their way to help another person and would do no harm. I pray there is a way to remain vigilant and safe yet open to sharing with trust. In "How to Fall in Love With the World By Talking to Strangers," John P. Weiss grapples with the issue of relating to the stranger. Weiss reminds us, "When you constantly deal with people at their worst, you lose sight of people at their best."
The world has become more global in our complex, multi-ethnic society, yet we communicate less. True, "There's a lot of scary stuff in the world today." People haven't changed that much, but the news is constant, and our society's threats are more horrific. Living with integrity and faith requires more diligence and street smarts than ever. Yet, we cannot allow occasional brutality to keep us from living our humanity and God-given calling.
Today, pray for God to guide how you respond to strangers. Not only how you treat them but also your view of people in general. Ask God to give you the intuitive wisdom to know when someone is safe and when to remain careful. Weiss reminds us that "Strangers are people just like us." When we stay open and friendly, we remain available to meet human needs. If someone is rude, it is their loss, and we pray for their hearts to soften. The world needs kindness, and who will offer care to the stranger if people of faith are too distrustful?