The Potential of the Kingdom
“Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.” ~ Paulo Coelho
Our church community is unique. We are the only English-speaking International community in the Iglesia Evangélica Española (Spanish Protestant Church). But we are also unique because in each meeting, each worship service, each gathering, bible study and fellowship opportunity we gather with a group comprised of a variety of cultures: Brits, Scots and Welsh folks join with South Africans, Romanians and Americans; friends from Northern Ireland gather with those from Ireland, those from Poland with friends from Hungary, those from Nigeria with those from the Netherlands. And we all are trying to navigate life within Spanish culture.
We all gather together in one community. And when we do - all cultures united - it can be like the church described in the Book of Revelation, chapter 7, verse 9:
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
United as one people, with one purpose: to glorify God and to follow Jesus.
It is also possible that, because of our cultural differences, we may not understand each other, we may disagree, and we may even feel competitive and confrontational. But the potential for unity, for singleness of purpose, is too great to give in to our human frailties. We will make mistakes. We will falter in our faith that we can be one community. But, with God’s help, we have the opportunity to work together, sing together, pray together and try to understand each other.
Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho wrote the above and it inspires me to keep the dream alive. In what other community do we have the chance meet with our neighbours, face to face, and learn about each other - our similarities and differences - and with respect, join together to create a community of compassion, justice and love.