I hear the chatter of a thousand accents…voices of the world talking to one another enthusiastically. Its almost an oddity to hear two people engaged in conversation using the same rhythmic style. Its like a chaotic poetry seasoned by melanin (or the lack thereof) that produces seemingly every skin color under the sun.
Every tribe. Every nation. Every people. And, they’re all gathering together under the same roof. It’s Sunday morning and we’re gathered to worship. To me…it’s a truly amazing experience to worship with and live with approaching 40 different nationalities. This past Sunday in both services, I asked “how many people were born in Homestead?” Hardly anyone raised a hand. When I asked who was born outside of the USA, almost half of our people raised hands. It’s the closest I’ll be to seeing the face of God on this side of eternity.
More and more, I’ve had people to ask me to write, share, or teach about how we’ve assembled so many different cultures in one place to worship Jesus. I don’t know a good answer other than to ask “Isn’t that what is supposed to happen when we love radically…just like Jesus loved?”
Certainly, our goal isn’t to be diverse. Our goal is to “love God and man with reckless abandon.” It seems like the result of that for us has been a church community that reflects the image of God. We look like Him. And, I guess we look like our community as well.
I’ve heard it said that Sundays are the most segregated days of the week. I don’t know how true that is. But, if it is, why? Where did we fail to see just who God is? Where did we fail to love like him? Where did we fail to be inviting to everyone in our community? How can we claim Jesus as our God if we reject or more likely are passively resistant to certain people? How can we say we love if we only love some of the people, some of the time?
I have to say that my life is enriched from the many backgrounds that have introduced me to many ways to love, care…and to be loved and to be cared about. It’s a beautiful thing and in it all I see people who wonderfully reflect the image of God.
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Agree with you 200%. Rock on LIFE-POINTE!!!!!!!!!!