Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Romans 15:25-27

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I flew to Namibia on an airplane with the latest in camera technology. While there, I was honored with the opportunity to take photos in a Himba village that was minimally changed by the modern world. I experienced a delightful moment when one of the young women made a silly face at the camera. We both laughed, and I motioned for her to do it again, snapping away the entire time as she tried to stop her laughter and smiles. She was delighted when I showed her the results on the back of my camera. We never spoke a word. She lived a semi-nomadic life in a hut and raised livestock—so very different from my life back in Illinois. Yet we clearly connected. The children chased and played, showing off for the photographer. The matriarch was welcoming and proud of her family of children and grandchildren. They shared their home and culture. We shared a blessing of sugar, flour and rice when we left the village to allow some variety in their farm diet. We really are more alike than we are different. 

Affectionately, I remember all the wonderful people I have met on my world travels. I can see the image of God in all of them. As I sit here with my sleeping infant granddaughter next to me, I get the overwhelming sense the Holy Spirit is saying, “The unconditional instant overwhelming love you feel for this little nugget is nothing compared to the infinite divine love I feel for each person on the earth.” 

People from other countries or cultures may have significantly different traditions and lifestyles, but we all still eat, sleep, work and love. It’s so much easier to live charitably towards people worldwide when we meet others with open minds, hearts and arms. I have had unique opportunities to meet people in their own countries, but you don’t have to travel to have that experience.  Many of us live in a diverse area with people transplanted from other countries. Here at Willow, we have the privilege of worshiping alongside people from all over the world. We just need to make an effort to connect with one another. 

As Christians, we were grafted into the vine of God’s promise to Israel. Thank God Paul was responsive and had an open mind to spread the message of the salvation of Jesus Christ to all people, including those from different cultures and traditions from our own.

Next Steps

Churches from all over contributed to Paul’s collection for the poor in Jerusalem. It affirmed the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s people. The more we care about people worldwide, the more united we will be. How is God calling you to lean in right now? Is it to pray? To learn? To act? Spend this week asking Him what He is calling you to.