A safe place
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’ (Exodus 13:17b).
Read Exodus 13:17 – 14:4
What is the story of your family coming to this land? Three of my four grandparents came from pioneering stock from Germany in the 1860s or thereabouts. The fourth, from Sweden, jumped ship in Melbourne in the early 1900s, found work on my great-grandparents’ orchard, married their daughter and settled here.
If you think about it, those of us whose history or whose family history in Australia is less than 250 years are quite likely to have a refugee element lurking in our past – be it coming here for physical, economic, political or religious safety. Or maybe they were looking for a new start that provided different or better opportunities.
The number of people seeking safety and refuge worldwide today is growing exponentially. People are fleeing unspeakable scenarios of grief, loss, violence and insecurity. They don’t have a pillar of cloud in the day or a pillar of fire by night. The driving force for them is the dream of safety and security. Unless we have faced the dangers that they have left or that they endure in their search for safety, we cannot know what they have gone through. They have to choose between facing war, famine, violence, or the dangers and uncertainties that come with leaving.
Rather than distance ourselves from these challenging realities, what we can do is welcome strangers, listen to their stories and show them hospitality.
It’s worth revisiting Matthew 25:31–58. Jesus was very clear about the importance of caring for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or in prison. It’s the same message that Jesus taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
There are two types of ministry that we can engage in to share Christ’s love with others: the ministry of proclamation, through which we share the good news, and the ministry of service, by which we care for those in need. There are ample opportunities for you and for me to engage in both. And through our ministry, the Holy Spirit can work in the hearts of those with whom we share.
Ever-present and unchanging God, help us to see your face in the face of those who are seeking refuge. Open our hearts to people in need and help us to generously share the gifts that you have given each of us. Amen.
Colleen Fitzpatrick is retired and lives in Adelaide. She enjoys reading and writing. She particularly likes listening to people’s stories and learning from them about who they are and what they do. She loves nature and the beauty of God’s creation.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
