You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. – Exodus 22:21

This is a verse so nice that God had to say it twice. He reiterates this point again in Exodus 23:9:

You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

This is such a wonderful reminder to treat everyone warmly no matter where they come from, what they look like, what they believe in, how they talk, or anything else.

Almost everyone can recount a time when they felt out of place in a situation.

Maybe it was at a new church, or at a new job. Maybe you moved to a new city and had to put yourself out there to blend in with new groups of people.

Whatever the case may be, you know what it’s like to be a stranger to someone.

When you come across someone new in your environment, make an effort to welcome them with kind gestures: Say hello. Get to know them. Invite them to hang out. Introduce them to other people.

Don’t just stare at them like they have two heads when you know they don’t know anybody.

Show them the welcoming love of Christ!

Be blessed,

Alexia