Morning Thought: The third letter of the Hebrew alphabet, gimel ג, is dear to me. It begins the Hebrew word ‘ger גר’, which means foreigner, stranger, sojourner or pilgrim.
Many years ago, a Rabbi pointed out this word in my last name: Ger-hauser. Reflecting on my life, I see the Lord led me down the way of a sojourner. Over twenty-three years ago, I left my home for Pensacola, to seek God and study his Word in a world-impacting revival. I felt at home among God’s people, but this New Yorker didn’t feel at home in the deep south. They continually reminded me about how they did not like New York. Then, God sent me to Australia to walk out my faith in a place I did not know. Thank God they liked New York here.
Jesus himself was a foreigner and sojourner. Yes, he made the heavens and the earth––but when he came to his own, his own did not receive him (John 1:10-11). Jesus calls us to be pilgrims like him, progressing daily toward our heavenly home, carrying our cross.
Do you feel strange in this world? That’s because you should. “Stranger [ger גר] I am in the earth, but do not hide your commandments from me” (Psalm 119:19, my translation).
Invasion of Light 