After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
One of my favorite things to do in my ministry as a pastor in Christ’s church has been to take youth to various places for service and learning trips. Over the years, we’ve been to faraway places: A first Nations Cree village in northern Manitoba, New Orleans and Houston, the Nez Perce reservation in western Idaho, Washington DC, western South Dakota and Minnesota. Sometimes we have stayed closer to home: Grand Rapids, Dayton, and Mackinaw City.
For certain, the goal was to serve others as Jesus asks us to do. I also wanted to give the kids a chance to get out of their own neighborhoods and to understand a bit of the beauty of God’s good creation, especially meeting people who may look at the world a bit differently. I also hoped that they would experience the unity we share as children of the same Creator.
The mural in the picture is from Neukirchen, Germany. I saw it as I was out for a walk with my cousins last week. Now I am attending the Lutheran World Federation’s Retreat for Newly Elected Leaders. I spent this first day in worship, learning and conversation with bishops, who like me, are new to the office. Christian siblings from Zimbabwe, Jordan and the Holy Land, Democratic Republic of Congo, Hungary, Indonesia, Kenya, Honduras, Austria, Columbia, Canada, Gambia, Malaysia, and India. The Holy Spirit continues to be at work in so many places among God’s children.
“A great multitude from every nation…” That is where this whole thing is headed. God is gathering us all together. If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to get out there and wander far from home. If wandering is difficult, then wander in place: listen to music from a different country, learn a few words in a new language, pick out some food from the international section at the grocery store, or read a book from an author who doesn’t look like you. There is a blessing in this. As we all reflect the image of God, we will experience something new about God. It is where all things are headed just as it is also God’s dream for us today. All colors are beautiful. Don’t believe anyone who tries to tell you otherwise!
+Bishop Jule