Aliens and Strangers
Do you ever find yourself walking down the street and feel like you are having an out of body experience? You see things happening around you, but the motion seems off and doesn’t align with your pace. Or perhaps you are at the office in the break room with your coworkers who are chatting away around you, even directing conversation at you, but the disconnected feeling is overwhelming and you just don’t seem to gel.
Maybe you watch the news and shake your head in disbelief. Chaos, crime, hatred and disaster after disaster, got you unsettled deep within. Instagram reels, AI generated videos, Tick Tock and other forms of social media, all trying to act like if you aren’t following close, you’re gonna lose out on something important- but are you really?
The longer I am alive on this earth, I become increasingly aware of one simple truth- I just wasn’t built for this environment. I feel restless, not in a midlife crisis sort of way, but something deeper and more real than my very skin. Like a nomad, wondering and floating through the journey of life, I too shuffle through the days; sometimes content to stay in my metaphorical bath robe and slippers, just waiting, but for what?
If you are a Christ follower, you may already be shaking your head in agreement with my state of discombobulation. It is to be expected. I was reminded all the more of mine and yours current situations, while reading through Acts this weekend. I have been studying this book for a few weeks now, and I have arrived at one of my favorite stories in all the scriptures. The stoning of Stephen.
At this moment, I’m quite sure you are throughly confused as to how the story of someone dying, could bring hope, encouragement and challenge me, all at the same time. Let me expand my thoughts, before you believe I have dove into the deep end of the mental swimming pool, and sank to the bottom.
We are told a little about the character of Stephen in Acts 6:5. The later part of that verse states he was, “a man full of faith and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit.” Then in verse 8 of the same chapter we read the following:
“Now Stephen, full of grace and power, worked great wonders and signs among the people.”
This man had completely immersed his whole life, into the will and purpose of his Savior. This is what I strive to become, and though I am not fully there yet, my desire is to crucify this flesh and make the name of Jesus known among my sphere of influence.
It is because of Stephen’s mighty power in the Lord, others sought ways to silence him. They concocted a plan, based on lies, which would result in his arrest. (Acts 6:9-14) But a wondrous thing happened when he was brought before the Sanhedrin- “Then all who sat in the council, as they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15)
I don’t know about you guys, but if I’m looking at a man who is accused of speaking blasphemy against God, but yet his face is shining like an angel, I might have some doubts regarding the testimony of the “witnesses” speaking against him. Maybe that is just too much common sense, but I digress.
In all boldness, Stephen then begins to preach to the Sanhedrin court. Eloquently, he recounts the Jewish heritage story beginning with Abraham, moving through the main highlights of the historical timeline, until he reaches Jesus Christ. I read two verses, of which I have read multiple times previous, which caused me to see a different meaning for our season here and now.
When recounting God’s words to Abraham about the fate of future generations, Acts 7:6-7 states, “And this is [in effect] what God told him: That his descendants would be aliens (strangers) in a land belonging to other people, who would bring them into bondage and ill-treat them 400 years. But I will judge the nation to whom they will be slaves, said God and after that they will escape and come forth and worship Me in this [very] place.”
God is foretelling of Israel’s captivity to Egypt, where they would be slaves for, 400 years. They would then be brought out of captivity by Moses, and lead to the promise land. So, why did these verses cause me to pause? Because I saw the shadow of our modern day between the lines.
This world is not our home. (Hebrews 13:14) The scriptures also tell us, this earth is currently under the ownership of Satan. (1 John 5:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2, John 12:31) All things I’m sure you have heard before, if you have spent any amount of time in the church at all, but let’s flesh this out a little deeper.
That his descendants would be aliens (strangers)- As stated in the opening, the older I grow, the more off-kilter I become in this world. If the prince of darkness is running the show for right now, we should feel “off” as Christ followers, moving about our daily lives. This does not mean we cannot have joy filled homes and make wonderful memories with our friends and loved ones. We absolutely will be given those good gifts by our Lord, but we shouldn’t be so attached to the things of this earth, we settle in, nice and cozy, refusing to move. Beware- James reminds us that anyone who is friends with this world, is an enemy of God. (James 4:4)
who would bring them into bondage- This is “game on” for the devil and his demons. Bondage comes in many forms, shapes and colors. Probably the first thing that pops in your mind are addictions such as drug or alcohol, but that is just barely scratching the surface. Satan can chain you with anger, lust, ambition, pride, insecurity, loneliness, greed, ego, the fear of man, doubt, shame, guilt, fame, unforgiveness, power, control, unbelief, slothfulness- that’s quite a list already, and yet it’s still not everything. Stay alert solider for Christ! The devil prowls around seeking whom he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
after that they will escape and come forth and worship Me- When we surrender our lives fully to Jesus, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. This equips us to live strong, bold lives full of faith, so we can overcome the prince of darkness. We will have struggles in this life (John 16:33), and it will appear on some days, the battle is lost, but God is faithful to keep us, secure us and protect us from the flaming arrows of the devil. (Psalm 91) And one day, we will escape, and be called home- our real, forever home, where we will live with our Savior for eternity. (Revelation 21:3-4)
Stephen understood the assignment. Totally surrendered to Christ, he did not care what man thought of him, which allowed him to proclaim the gospel with boldness in front of the counsel. He knew the things of this world are all temporary and there is a better glory coming. He did not have to fear, and shrinking back was not an option. He finished the race well, and Jesus Himself was there to cheer Stephen on to the very end.
“And he (Stephen) said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand!” (Acts 7:56)
Shortly after this statement, he breathed his last. What tremendous faith this man exemplified! I pray we all strive to be found this faithful in our commitment to God. I want to leave you today with my life verse, which is another reminder we are made for more than this world is offering. And hey dear friends! It’s ok to be strange, since we are living in a strange land.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)