Many from One

I want to thank You
For all the different places I see.
I want to thank You
For all the faces there can be
Of white and black and gold and red
In the mountains or by the sea,
In the deserts or the jungles,
In the lands of slaves or free;
Because no matter what we look like
Or where we live or what we know,
Regardless our experience or language
Or where we live or go,
Our occupation or economic status,
There is enough evidence to show
That our Lord loves variety.
It persists despite the hardest blow.

Day 32

Your gates shall be open continually;
    day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
    with their kings led in procession (Isaiah 60:11).

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9).

My husband and I were talking the other day about how Christianity has transcended cultures and languages all around the world. Some of my best experiences have been going on international mission trips and worshipping God there. When I leave, I feel like I have been blessed more than I have given, as is probably the case. I wonder what this will look like in heaven. I even had an anachronistic dream about heaven once, where modern people were walking down the road with a woman in Victorian dress and a man in a toga!

Other religions try to enforce a certain language and culture on the adherents, but not Biblical Christianity. For example, the Council of Jerusalem decided not to require Gentile believers to follow the ritual and sacrificial system in the Torah, nor observe the appointed days (Acts 15:28-29). They could still eat pork. Historically, atrocities have occurred, such as the deeds of the conquistadors, the Spanish Inquisition, the 100 Years War, for a few examples. Native Americans had their tongues cut out by “Christians” so they would not speak their “evil” native languages anymore. To be Christian in those times and places meant you must dress a certain way and speak English and live in a certain type of home. We do a disservice to others and to God when we try to change others. Instead of helping them be transformed into His image day by day, we want them made into our image. How arrogant have we been! Of Lord, please forgive! Please change us!

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