Today I visited another church to share about my new school. When the choir belted out "He reigns forever!" and "All hail King Jesus!" at the top of their lungs, and I saw a choir full of folks (male and female, young and old, light-skinned and dark, casually dressed and dressed up) worshipping the LORD without abandon, I tell you, my heart was full. I declare, I began to smile with joy at the thought that in heaven we will be worshipping our God corporately, in unison and on one accord, possibly like this. So it was with glee that I stood up and added my voice to the resounding chorus.
But almost as quickly as the heaven thought flashed through my mind, another one popped up. I recalled the passage in Revelation that talks about a multitude praising God in heaven, and I couldn't help but remember that the chorus there will be comprised of people from every nation. So I felt a twinge of sadness mixed in with joyful praise. Kind of like the mixed feelings we get when we experience the 'already/not yet' aspects of the Kingdom (salvation from sin's penalty -- already; salvation from sin's presence -- not yet; touches of God's physical healing -- already; complete healing to come in heaven -- not yet).
I also began to think if I'll ever be a part of a non-diverse church again. Not likely. Though I didn't select my current home church because it was racially/ethnically diverse, I must say that I have grown to enjoy it and, thanks to Pastor's teachings, to see that it represents God's heart. And, the thought of that Revelation passage is so appealing that I want to ever move towards it -- not away from it. In fact, it's got me thinking about my friendships and my work relationships, and how I can be more intentional in creating cross-cultural friendships.
Just got me wondering....
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 7:9-12)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment