Daily Devotional - Hospitality: Greeted, Seated, Treated - WK15 - 4/7/25 - Day 97 - "Love is Not Foreign"

Author: Evangelist Jamie Hoffman

“Love is Not Foreign”
Scripture: Leviticus 19:34, NIV

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Devotion:
Have you ever felt nervous, unsure, or out of place among strangers? Do you know what it is to be considered a foreigner traveling a land that is not your home? As an educator, I’ve taught many students from different cultures and backgrounds. Some of them come into my classroom not speaking the language, and it’s my job to make sure they feel welcomed and have access to the same education that my other students have. Sometimes it requires extra work on my part, but it’s worth it to see them grow confident in themselves and their work.

I am sure we've all been in situations where we felt a little out of place or out of our comfort zone. Imagine how it feels to come to a new place and instead of a warm reception of love and welcoming, you receive stares and coldness. God is calling us to accept people as they are, even when they may not look or act like we think they should. We are not called to judge or condemn; we are called to love and encourage. One thing I’ve found to be consistent with meeting people from other countries and cultures throughout my life is that we share more commonalities than differences. God made us all, and it’s up to us to treat each other with the same love and kindness that God shows us daily. How we treat each other really does matter because we represent God, and God is love.
           
Prayer:
God, help us treat everyone with the same love and kindness You have shown us. Help us embrace people despite our differences. Let Your love guide us in all that we do. Amen.