We live in a world full of strangers. Every trip to the grocery store, every commute to work, every walk through our neighborhood brings us face-to-face with people we don't know. We pass them without a second glance, focused on our tasks, our lists, our own concerns. But what if these encounters aren't as random as they seem? What if hidden within these everyday moments are divine appointments waiting to be recognized?

While the world buzzes with talk of unidentified flying objects and congressional hearings about mysterious sightings, there's another type of UFO that deserves our attention: Unidentified Faith Opportunities. These are the moments when God places someone in our path who needs exactly what we have to offer—a word of encouragement, a prayer, a reminder that they are loved by their Creator.
The apostle Paul understood this calling deeply. In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, he reminds us that we no longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view. Instead, as new creations in Christ, we've been given the ministry of reconciliation. God is making His appeal through us, inviting a broken world back into relationship with Him. This isn't just the job of pastors or missionaries—it's the vocation of every believer.

The term "alien" appears throughout Scripture, referring to foreigners, strangers, and sojourners—people who are unfamiliar, outside our normal circles. In truth, we're surrounded by aliens every day. That person struggling with their groceries, the neighbor you wave to but never really talk to, the coworker who seems perpetually stressed—they're all aliens in the biblical sense.
But here's the remarkable truth: we're all aliens too. We're strangers to each other until we make the effort to connect. More importantly, without Christ, we're aliens to God Himself. Colossians 1:21 puts it starkly: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."
The good news is that God specializes in bringing aliens home.

Scripture is remarkably consistent about how we should treat strangers. Hebrews 13:2 offers this intriguing instruction: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Imagine that—your kindness to a stranger might actually be an encounter with the divine.
Proverbs 11:25 promises that "a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." There's a beautiful reciprocity in Kingdom living. When we extend ourselves to others, we're not depleted but replenished.
And Jesus made it personal in Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Every act of kindness to a stranger is an act of worship to Christ Himself.

Colossians 4:5-6 provides practical guidance: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Grace seasoned with salt—what a beautiful image. We're called to offer grace freely, just as God has offered it to us. But we're not to sugarcoat the truth. People need to know that God wants them back, that He's calling them to turn from what separates them from Him and return to His loving arms.
Sometimes people will approach us, noticing something different about our countenance, our peace, our joy despite circumstances. First Peter 3:15 reminds us to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Are we ready with an answer, or do we mumble something vague and miss the opportunity?

One of the most overlooked UFOs exists right within the church community. When someone asks for prayer, they're offering us an unidentified faith opportunity—a chance to bring them before the throne of grace, to participate in their reconciliation with God.
Yet many of us, particularly men, struggle to ask for prayer. We think we should be strong enough to handle things ourselves. But in refusing to ask, we actually deny our brothers and sisters the opportunity to serve God through serving us. We rob them of the blessing that comes from intercession.
We all need prayer. Every single one of us needs God's grace, mercy, love, and healing. There's no shame in asking for it. In fact, it's an act of humility that strengthens the entire body of Christ.

While we all have careers—the jobs that pay our bills and support our families—we also have a vocation, a divine calling. That vocation is reconciliation. God has given every believer the ministry of bringing His children home to Him.
You may not yet know your specific ministry or calling, but while you're waiting, there's work to be done. Romans 10:14 asks the piercing question: "How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
There are people who don't yet know Christ. They haven't heard about the Savior who stands in the gap between good and evil for them, who hung on a cross for their sins. They haven't heard because no one has taken the time to introduce them, to reconcile them with God.

But here's a sobering truth: even as believers, we can become alienated from God. Unresolved conflicts, harbored bitterness, unconfessed sin—these things create distance between us and our Father.
Consider this progression from Scripture. Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." Jeremiah 29:11 promises, "I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."
Yet Matthew 7:23 records Jesus saying, "I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
How do we go from "Before I formed you, I knew you" to "I never knew you"? Through alienation. Through allowing separation to grow between us and God. Through choosing our own way instead of His plans for us.

The beautiful truth is that reconciliation is always available. If we move nearer to God, He moves nearer to us. Whatever is broken can be fixed. Whatever separation exists can be closed.
This week, look for the UFOs in your life. But don't look with your own eyes—look through God's eyes. See the needs He wants you to meet. Notice the opportunities He's placing before you. Recognize the strangers as potential family members in His kingdom.
For us, it's not about aliens phoning home. It's about children of God coming home—and helping others find their way there too.