Oppress Not a Stranger

Exodus 22:21 - Do not mistreat or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.

Living in a foreign country is an exciting thing. It is a wonderful chance to learn about the culture, religious beliefs, and traditions of a different people group. Often we find that some things we thought to be distinctly North American are common to people all over the world. Other things that we assumed would be universal or not. There is always much to learn; one must be careful not to judge. What is considered rude or vulgar in the home country may not be rude elsewhere and vice versa.

When living in a different culture, one never knows how he will be accepted. There were always the questions of "what are you doing here?" These were usually from curious people who meant no harm. One day a lady stopped me at a street side grocery store and asked, "Excuse me, of what nationality are you?" When I told here I was from the states and doing mission work she was overjoyed. It proved to be a pleasant conversation. Other times were not so pleasant. I was asked by one man, why I didn't have to pay income tax in his country. He had been told that we were allowed to live there without paying taxes and he was angry about it. Where he got his information, I don't know. I wasn't earning any money in the country and paid dearly every month for my visa. Another time a man mistook me for a Mormon. He followed my roommate and me throwing rocks and cursing us in Spanish. In his defense, I'm sure he had been drinking. He may have been a nice guy without the awful bondage to alcohol. And there was the lady who told me that all of the problems in her country where because the "North Americans" came down and took over, thinking they didn't have to obey the rules. Sound familiar?

Since my time abroad I have not been able to look at a "stranger" the same. I understand first hand the effort it takes to live in a foreign country. I understand the desperation that drives people to come here, whether legally or not, in hopes of a better life. I understand the challenges they will face once they are here. Many come thinking they will be "as rich as the rest of us." They are soon disappointed when they see that life has its ups and downs no matter where one is.

I understand that there are increasing challenges and disagreements in our own country over immigration issues.The purpose of this writing is not to be political. One thing that I learned while living in Central America is that these issues are not unique to the United States. Other countries, even third-world countries, have some of the same issues and there are no easy answers.

 I would just like to remind all of us of one of the first commandments God ever gave to his people, that of treating a "stranger" with respect. In the end we are all fellow human beings on this planet. We must all share it until our time here is done. As a Christian, I believe that my first priority is to love someone, whether I agree with them or not. As a minister I have strong views about what is right and what is wrong. But in the end I must remember the words of Jesus; we will be known as his disciples because of our love to one another.

 I realize that we all have our preconceived ideas. We are most comfortable among people who look, speak, act and think as we do. This in itself is not wrong. It is wrong, however, to think that someone else is less than I am because they are different than me. The definition of prejudice is to see things based on my own experiences in life; literally it means to prejudge a situation without having all the facts. To be prejudiced is human; to look beyond my preconceived ideas and see a real person is divine.

I am just as human as anyone else, prejudice and all. I know, however, that this is not like God. My daily prayer has become this: Lord, help me to treat everyone I meet as a brother or a sister. Help me to see past the skin color or the language barrier. I may just find a kindred spirit. Help me to see all of humanity as you do, Lord. Teach me to love!

Thoughtfully Yours,

Sullivan Jones