Alien: Lent XXIII

 . . . the land where you are now an alien . . . 

 - From Genesis 17

The concept of "alien," in Scripture, is one about which a lot of people now consider themselves expert. Scoffers, doubters, and garden-variety atheists alike, now love to tout any Scripture passage directing believers to welcome and assist aliens. Because, it is said, our ancestors were aliens.

Christians are considered aliens from an other-worldly nation. (This is true. The more "Christian" you are, the less likely you are to fit into any of the world's societies. Sincere Christians do not participate in mass movements).

But the promise God made to Abram was not based on his status as an alien. It was based on his status as righteous. God's promise to us, for being faithful, is not riches on earth. It's not health. It's not lots of friends. It's not success or fame. The promise is land . . . lots of land. Land as far as you can see, and beyond. We are hard-wired to love open, undeveloped land.

Some people believe that religion is the cause of wars. Maybe so, but only indirectly. I would blame our love for wide open spaces as the cause of wars. Territory. Geography. If we can only be surrounded by a lot of land, we can feel safe and secure. We have all the resources we need for a good life. Even desert land, if you have enough of it, can be all one needs, if she can steward it skillfully.

Now . . . this idea about our desire for land does not explain why so many people crowd the cities. Maybe it's based on the opposite impulse: a sense of insecurity, a need to be noticed; a craving to find your value in getting lots of "likes," as opposed to being left alone.

God approached nomadic people, as His plan was being rolled out. Is it because the solitary lifestyle lends itself more easily toward righteousness? A person that is alone should certainly have an easier time holding to the discipline of prayer.

Nevertheless . . . we should indeed be kind to all people, no matter what. And aliens typically are decidedly exposed and vulnerable. My personal view is that we should not be mixing it up in this particular political debate. An influx of aliens means a bountiful harvest for spreading the Gospel. And that, ultimately, should be what believers are all about.

In Lent, we may begin seeing all people as of greater value than ourselves.