Reflection: Diverse: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you think that in our churches we still put up boundaries to others?

2.     Why? What criteria do you think we use consciously or unconsciously?

3.     How does the common speech of mankind at Babel (Gen 11:1-10) differ from the universal gift to all mankind at the Cross?

Share: Have you been able to experience a worship setting of diversity? How did you sense the Lord’s presence?

Diverse: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:9

“Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia.”

Countries near and far.

Languages completely diverse.

Not likely to know one another apart from their own travel companions.

Yet all gathered together seeking the Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Not taking Him for granted. Not to build man-made towers like Babel but to kneel.

All gathering in worship to celebrate the Passover. All devout.

Despite borders and cultures and cuisine and status they made the long journey to the one place they trusted to find hope—to honor God—to perhaps hear His voice or experience His Presence.

We no longer need to travel long distances to be with God in one particular place. That Passover opened for us a new freedom of relationship, a continual space to worship, a daily conversation.

Yet, do we take our relationship for granted? What new barriers do we put up against others whose language and culture and style of worship differs from ours?

His words bless everyone from near and far with His Grace.

Lord, help us to listen and to walk in conversation with You and with each other. Thank you that Your invitation to worship includes all of us and at the same time You give to each heart a one-to one love. In His communion.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:9

“And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear.” And it was so.”