The Perfect Stranger
A Living Message and Reflections on a Sermon
A Living Lesson
He was the perfect stranger. The first time I met him a few months back he had a long beard. And, now, just a firm, white mustache. He had a on crisp sky blue button down shirt with a dark navy sweater—much like one that Mr. Rogers would wear—and a cream fedora. His name is Lynn, and at 71 years old, he had cancer. He was the perfect stranger.
I do not recall much of our first encounter other than he loved cigars. But, our second encounter, on that chilly Chicago May evening, would be one that will be difficult to forget.
“I just learned it about ten years ago,” he told me. My ears perked up when he said that. There is something enticing when someone in their 70s shares their wisdom from life’s experiences. He had my attention.
“There are just some things you cannot control in life,” he said. “And the remarkable thing about how we live is that we spend all of our time, energy and resources trying to control the things we know that we will never be able to control.”
Resolved and free, he looked at me and said, “But, there are somethings in life you can control: your response to how others treat you, how you invest your time, what you do with your emotions.”
This is the lesson Lynn unexpectedly taught me that evening: We can not control what happens in life, and that is OK. But, but we can control how we respond and what do with what has happened. That subtle shift in our way of living can free us from many burdens we were never meant to bear.
Reflections on a Sermon
The Sunday before my encounter with Lynn, my pastor began preaching a series on the life of Joesph (Gen. 37-50) and the first sermon on Genesis 37 he entitled “The Perfect Stranger.” Beginning a sermon called “Detours to Destiny,” he examines that though God gave Joseph a specific dream and calling over his life, Jospeh had no idea of the details his journey to the destination of said dream. His thesis was "God withholds unnecessary information from us as He reveals the beauty of your destination."
However, along the way, sometimes God reveals and leads us on the journey to where he is calling us is through strangers He puts along our paths. “God will use unlikely people in unmarked places to get you to the right destination.”
“A man found Joseph, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, “What are you looking for?” He said, “I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock.” Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan” (Genesis 37:15-17).
Joseph’s encounter with this stranger led him into immediate trouble (Gen. 37:18-36), but ultimately turned out for his good (Gen. 50:20). I feel like Lynn was an unlikely stranger whom God put in my path to glean from. Thankfully, it did not lead me into immediate trouble like Joseph. But, prayerfully, will be wisdom that the Spirit recalls to my mind that will guide me all because of my encounter with a stranger.
But all this to say, one of the overlooked ways the LORD uses to speak to us is through others—even strangers. Be on the lookout for those who seem like strangers that the LORD puts in your path.
Who are some unlikely people the LORD has recently used to minister to you?
What am I watching?
I just started watching Succession, and am enjoying it.
I am still grieving the end of Ted Lasso. Y’all pray for me.
That wisdom from the stranger is great advice, but at times difficult to live. Thank you for your encouraging writing.