This morning, we were discussing our reading of Romans chapter 13 and sharing certain verses that stood out to us. Verses 8-10 all stood out to us, but in different ways. Brooke shared how her Bible led her to the footnote of verse 10: "..you shall love your neighbor as yourself," quoting the Old Testament Leviticus chapter 19. This chapter shared of the moral and ceremonial laws in which God gave to the Israelites to follow soon after their escape from Egypt. In this chapter, connected to Romans 13:10, was verse 34 of Leviticus 19. It is written, "The stranger who lives among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.." This we read, as a call from God to love others, because that is what we owe. We owe others only love, which has been bestowed to us through the sacrificing atonement of Jesus Christ.
This discussion from the morning came to my mind tonight during the youth group of Capilla del Calvario: called La Roca. This group meets every Friday night for a Bible Study and games, and consists regularly of about 10-12 teenage boys and one girl. The intern girls and I have also made this a regular thing to attend this youth group, to connect with the youth in the community of Villarreal, develop more relationships, and help in whatever way we can. Tonight at youth group there was one slight difference. There was a boy there who had never been before (to my former knowledge). He was a visiting cousin from San Jose.
The talk with Brooke came to mind as we all joked and laughed, playing familiar games. From the looks of it, you would never know there was anyone there who wasn't a regular. All of the kids were welcoming, treating the boy as if they had known him their whole lives. I was in awe. I recalled the time I spent back at my home church, when I had gone to youth group one night between my time at the Ranch and Costa Rica. I recall feeling awkward. Besides the established friendships I had before, no one talked to me.. People knew of the program I was involved in, but no one asked me anything about it. I met no one new. This isn't a condemnation to the youth group at my home church, for I know fully well I could have reached out to others and developed new acquaintances or friends in that time. My sole point is to share how it probably doesn't even cross most kid's minds to reach out to someone new. Or even someone who they've seen a few times, and have never actually talked to. There is the assumption that it is the job of someone else to make new people feel welcome. But God directs us to treat outsiders as our own. To love the stranger as a brother. And to this we are indebted, so the need to do so is dire. To follow the example of Christ in our lives, and show Him to others as God calls us to.. Always pouring out love, making people feel welcome, and in turn, building relationships, building up the body of Christ.
This, all in the span of one day. How incredible is our God? I seem to be always surprised by the beauty revealed to me through serving in Costa Rica.
I aim to make people feel welcome. Whenever I see or notice a new person at an event or group, I long to show the love of Christ as I am commanded in Romans 10, owing no one anything except for the love which my Father has gifted to me.
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