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Kissed by an Angel By Robert Berendt Could a chance encounter with a stranger be something more? Whether we're helping an angel or helping a fellow human being made in God's image, God wants us to be kind, merciful and loving -- just as He is.
here are many tales in the Bible about human encounters with angels. Some are frightening, some are delightful, and some are funny. Angels are God's messengers and workers. Psalm 91:11-12 tells us that angels watch over and protect us. Daniel knew that angels shut the mouths of the lions that wanted to eat him (Daniel 6:22). In Acts 5:19 we read of angels rescuing some disciples from prison. In Numbers 22:22 Balaam learned that an angel could appear to his donkey and yet be hidden from his eyes (this angel seems to have had a sense of humor). In Exodus 23:20-21 we read that God warned Israel not to provoke "the Angel" that He had assigned to lead them. Angels serve God night and day and are often used by Him as He works with mankind. In the past, it seems, God used angels in a much more obvious way that He does today. Things are different since Jesus Christ rose and the New Covenant was ratified. Angels still exist and still work with and for God. But they do not always identify themselves as Gabriel did when he came to Daniel (Daniel 9:21-22).
We are to recognize that all humans are children of God and have the potential to receive eternal life. We are not to shun strangers. God wants to know that His children are capable of acts of kindness, mercy and love -- just as He is. We need to emulate our heavenly Father. In our society, however, wisdom is certainly essential when encountering strangers. Women and children should be especially careful and never get into a potentially dangerous situation by trusting strangers. I do not pick up hitchhikers -- unless I see an obvious problem such as a person rolling a tire or carrying a gas can. Running into Angel(a)
I tried to describe the way, but realized it would not work. I offered to draw a map of the complicated route. I knew she would be late for sure. Just then she said, "By the way, my name is Angel." Actually she said "Angela," but that was close enough. I was already recognizing unusual things here. At this point, the storm was moving in and I said, "Tell you what -- I'll quickly shower and change, and then I will drive to the hospital and you can follow me. That way you will be there on time." She was delighted, and so off I went to the gym (which was very near this park). Angel drove her Jeep after me. When I came rushing out in street clothes, Angel was nowhere to be seen and I thought, "Oh, well." I didn't recognize her, but she came right up and said, "Here I am." She had changed clothes from shorts and a jacket into a lovely dress and blouse, and had done her hair, and looked quite lovely. Something seemed terribly right -- and yet curious -- about the incident.
Was she or wasn't she? I drove home slowly, musing about the scripture in the book of Hebrews. Was she or wasn't she? Did I or didn't I? Was I kissed by an angel or by an Angela? Even if she was "just" a young lady, nothing had been lost. I could feel good about helping another human being made in God's image. The point is that all humans are precious in God's sight. He'd like them all to have eternal life (1 Timothy 2:4). God is doing all that He can do, short of forcing us and making decisions for us. For that, we can all be thankful, and in that we can be confident.
As a matter of fact, the last six of the great Ten Commandments are all about loving your neighbor as yourself. Thus, in children of God there will be an outgoing care towards other people. That care will emanate from the strength of obeying God's laws, which clearly define the path we ought to walk upon. Taking wise risks We should not be foolish and we should not be naive. God expects us to use wisdom in dealing with others. Specifically, the command to love is towards another converted person. But in John 3:16 we see that God loves the entire world. We are to grow in that direction. However, we ought to also recognize evil at the same time, and much is written about that in the Scriptures.
Back to the story. This one had a happy ending: Angel vanished to visit her best friend, and I was left with a little "tingle" on my cheek and a little question in my mind. Was I kissed by an angel? I cannot be certain, but it's possible I was. How about you -- have you seen any angels lately? Copyright 2004 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: angels helping
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