A few years ago, I went to Mexico for a week of mission work. I remember that it was hot, the construction work was difficult, preaching in Spanish demanded a lot of concentration and study for me; but that was not the refreshing part. The refreshing part was seeing and experiencing how the good news of Jesus leaps over the wall of cultural differences.
The story of Jesus is not limited or restrained by language or lifestyle. A message of salvation cuts through every barrier on the way to the heart.
Adayemo, a Christian man born in Nigeria as a Moslem in commenting on his conversion said, “the evangelical faith transcends but does not obliterate racial, tribal, or cultural differences.” And that is so refreshing to see happen.
Of course, in many of our multi-ethnic congregations in Virginia we are able to see this every week, but it is so much clearer when one is in another country and culture. Our years of mission service in the Philippines were refreshing for us.
You can read in your Bible John 3:16 but seeing this truth change lives before your very eyes is very powerful. It says, “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV) God loves the “whole world, all individuals in the whole world” on an equal basis. There are no favorites.. The original language of Greek literally says the “whole family of mankind.” Or as Acts 10:34 (NIV) says, “God does not show favoritism.”
Many Christians miss out on times of spiritual refreshment because they refuse to move out of their comfort zone. Just visit an ethnic worship service, even if you don’t understand the language or the style of worship; you will be refreshed to share with other races their lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is no east or west in Christ. Have some spiritual refreshment, it could change your life forever.
“Lord, You give us so many opportunities to see you at work across
racial and cultural lines, even denominational. Give us courage! Amen”
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