Thanksgiving Without Walls

While the first wave of Central American immigrants from the caravan that Trump fears so much has arrived at the American border; simultaneously there are thousands of Venezuelan immigrants arriving at Colombia's border as well, and crossing it, both legally and illegally. 

Thousands of Venezuelans and I waiting to cross into Colombia

American President Donald Trump considers the immigrant caravan in Mexico a "national emergency" and has deployed thousands of troops to the American Southern border to secure it's wall.

But instead of fearing what immigrants may or may not do in either Colombia or the States, I think the church needs to urgently mobilize itself to receive foreigners in love, and share the gospel with every newcomer as best as we can.      

In Ephesians 2 Paul talks about Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, thereby reconciling us both to God in one body through the cross (v. 14-16).

While many like to build walls to separate us from those who are different - Jesus came to give eternal citizenship to those who are near and those who are far off (v. 17-19).

Thanksgiving was invented to remind us of how indigenous locals helped our immigrant ancestors survive the winter, and give God thanks.

So instead of building bigger walls, our nation should be setting bigger tables to bring near through love and the proclamation of Christ, those who have been alienated and separated from God (v. 12- 13). Irregardless of race, economic level, or legal status.