One day city will be a family. Of course, I’m talking about the city of God that you can read about in a book called Revelation. (It’s the last book of the Bible.) I experienced some of that city yesterday during an encounter with two strangers in my city of Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

I’ve met so many strangers who were unknown brothers and sisters and have been eager to welcome me into their heart and even into their home. At the sight of those people my heart thanked God and was encouraged. That’s the unity of the body of Christ in action. Although strangers we (Spirit-led Christ-followers) are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord. All we need to do is to be vulnerable and humbly open wide our heart to one another with kindness. Then a supernatural connection beyond human description is suddenly recognized. It is revealed to us by God’s Spirit.

Yesterday I had a long conversation with two strangers, a woman and a man. None of us knew each other. Even though the woman was making accusative and offensive statements about politics, I sensed Christ in her. So, I humbly and kindly questioned one of her statements. Instead of responding with hostility she looked long at me and kindness rose up in her eyes. Then a rare thing happened. We had a discussion where we expressed opposing views with warmth, peacefulness, and laughter.

The man was mostly quiet in the beginning. He looked shocked and curious about how we could disagree so agreeably. Soon our conversation turned to Jesus. Without my asking her the woman excitedly shared a short version of how Jesus became real in her life. Then I briefly shared my story of encountering the risen Jesus.

The man gradually began to join in the conversation and to enjoy the joy of the Lord with us. I don’t know if he is a Christian brother, but we could see his heart opening up in front of us. Before we parted I gave both of them a card with this link (hopethoughts.com) to my blog. They both said that they would go there and read it. I pray that they do, and that God uses my words to encourage them with Christ’s presence and light. When I woke up this morning these words were flowing through my heart:

I try to be
A life writer,
To let my words
Dance and sing
And ring out truth
With kindness.