"Strangers"

I’m surrounded now by strangers,

All sizes, shapes and kinds,

From little kids to oldsters,

Can’t say what’s on their minds.

I can’t help but notice,

The blank looks down at phones,

Almost every single person,

And all of them unknowns.

They just explained the life vest,

The flight attendant’s nice,

Guess now we all feel safer,

Don’t have to be told twice.

And then the thought occurs to me,

God loves every single one,

Jesus died for everybody,

When His life on earth was done.

Rose up to make us right with God,

I wonder if they know,

If anyone has told them,

Or lived so it would show.

I pray for those around me,

May never know their names,

But, Lord, I ask Your blessing,

On these lives just the same.

Some going down to Disney,

Or some to get away,

Or like me for a wedding,

Then back home in just two days.

But whatever their own journey,

My prayer is they are safe,

Till their final destination,

And that they see Jesus’ face.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NAS)

God loves all, Jesus died for all, and God wants all to come to repentance. Peter says this is the reason Jesus has not yet brought judgment to the world. When we realize this we become aware that in every situation God wants every one of them to be saved. Consider every football game, political gathering, traffic-filled street, and anywhere else people gather. God wants them. I have begun praying for people in the grocery store line, at the red light, and yes, on the airplane. Shine your light so that God will have an instrument to use to win these people to Himself.

Lord, use us to win others, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.