“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Gander, Newfoundland, is the tiny town that took in 38 diverted commercial planes carrying nearly 7,000 people when authorities closed North American airspace on September 11. The town had once been a refueling stop for transatlantic flights, so it had room for these big jets. At times the airport had been known as “The Lifeboat of the North Atlantic.” And that is indeed what it would be as its people tended to and cared for the “plane people.”
For a week, every person in Gander stopped what they were doing to put their lives on hold for strangers. They opened their homes, baked casseroles, gave rides to stores, contributed bedding from their own closets, and offered reassurances in every way they could.
They came alongside of others to let them know, You’ve found a friend here. They became reflections of a kind of compassion Jesus would have us show, a compassion that He has shown to us in exponentially greater terms. Because of all He’s done for us, we can extend hospitality to others who happen to land in our path.
For a week, every person in Gander stopped what they were doing to put their lives on hold for strangers. They opened their homes, baked casseroles, gave rides to stores, contributed bedding from their own closets, and offered reassurances in every way they could.
They came alongside of others to let them know, You’ve found a friend here. They became reflections of a kind of compassion Jesus would have us show, a compassion that He has shown to us in exponentially greater terms. Because of all He’s done for us, we can extend hospitality to others who happen to land in our path.
Scripture Focus
Romans 15:5-13
Insight
Portions of Anchor days 14-17 come from the stories written by Jim Defede in his book, The Day the World Came to Town—9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland (2002).
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 1-2
- Psalm 73
- John 13
