Different languages and accents. Various colors of skin. Diverse worship styles. Different college backgrounds. Varied cultural differences.
That’s what I saw in South Africa and Malawi among the natives, the missionaries, the transplants and the travelers.
Whether it was on a plane, in a mission compound, in a Sunday morning service, at a café for breakfast, in the middle of a bunch of teens, or gathered at a camp, I saw something that touched my heart in some very special ways. It was a foretaste of Revelation 5:8-9 which reads,
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
For sixteen days I had the blessed privilege to experience the multi-faceted family of God all radically changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ; people from varying tribes and tongues and people and nations.
The family of God needs no introductions; our spirit bears witness with each other (Romans 8:16).
The family of God doesn’t see race but grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The family of God loves one another (John 13:35).
The family of God honors one another (Romans 12:10).
The family of God rejoices and weeps together (Romans 12:15).
The family of God serves one another in love (Galatians 5:13).
The family of God encourages each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Why? Because of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!! (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:9). What an awesome family around the world from every tribe, tongue, people and nation that will one day gather around the Throne in Heaven!!
From a Pastor’s Heart,
dale
From A Pastor's Heart 