HomeWord - Sept. 10, 2010

The Gander Example 

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you.
—1 Peter 4:9-10 (NLT)

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 United States airspace was completely shut down. Planes that were flying anywhere over the U.S. or approaching U.S. airspace were all redirected and forced to land at the closest available airport. That morning, like any other day, many international flights from Europe were approaching the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. Many of these flights were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada.

Gander is a small town of 10,400 people, but maintains the largest international airport in the province of Newfoundland - with a runway that can accommodate the large jets that fly the international routes. 38 redirected planes landed at Gander, carrying nearly 7,000 people.

No one would have been surprised had the residents of Gander been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the stranded travelers. Who would have blamed them if they had boarded up the town hid behind closed doors? But, this isn't how Gander responded. Instead, responding to radio announcements, the residents of Gander and surrounding towns rallied up and dove deep into self-sacrifice.

The residents supplied virtually every need of the stranded travelers from toothpaste, to opening their homes, to providing spare underwear, to offering harbor-excursion day trips. When U.S. airspace was finally reopened and flights began leaving Gander for their destinations, one passenger reported that the atmosphere of the crowds was simply "cruise-like". Today, one can still find websites honoring the hospitality of the people of Gander.

What a great story! The people of Gander provided a powerful example of what the people of God are to be like. Regardless of whether or not people are followers of Christ, whenever love, kindness, generosity, and hospitality are demonstrated they are without doubt the fingerprints of our Creator upon humankind.

If the people of the world can demonstrate such uncommon graces in times of crisis, how much more should the followers of Christ demonstrate these characteristics everyday? As children of God, we are called to love one another, love our neighbors, demonstrate kindness, be generous and practice hospitality - all in the name of Jesus. The old hymn still rings true today, "They will know we are Christians by our love…"

GOING DEEPER:

1. Practicing hospitality isn't always easy. It requires self-sacrifice. What obstacles keep you from practicing hospitality?
2. Today, demonstrate hospitality to someone through an act of self-sacrifice.

FURTHER READING: 
Luke 10:25-37; Romans 12:13; Galatians 5:22