I am still here! Just a bit behind with the posts.
Today was our International Sunday at church - a day when we celebrate the diversity of our multi-cultural congregation. At the beginning of the Bible we read that humans are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and at the end of the Bible we read of John's vision of heaven where people from every nation, tribe and language are involved in the worship of God (Revelation 7:9). So it is good to get in some practice by praising God together, now.
This morning we had 20 nationalities represented, with a colourful range of clothing and a delicious lunch on offer. With 20 nationalities there are of course more cultures - as countries are made up of different ethnic, language and tribal groups. Which gives plenty of scope for misunderstandings. For example a friendly gesture or an acceptable form of greeting in one culture may be quite offensive in another.
In Acts 10 and 11 we read how the early Jewish Christians struggled to come to terms with the truth that the church was a place for everyone from every nation, and not just for a select few. And that transition was not an easy one and it was one that took time. And it is something that we still get wrong.
As we celebrate our diversity and unity we look back to the beginning of the story in Genesis, we look ahead to the end of the story in Revelation, but we recognise that right at the centre is the cross. Whoever we are, wherever we come from - we fall short of what God expects and yet God still loves us, and Jesus still died for us. And as his disciples Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. That means that we seek to see the best in others. It means that we are quick to forgive. It means that we are gracious and compassionate and merciful. It means that whatever offence I cause you through some cultural misunderstanding we can still sit down and eat together.
