Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1–7)Yesterday after our church service, I sat on the edge of the platform and watched people visiting and praying together after the chairs were stacked. Every color. Every sort of clothing. Several languages. The sense of family is strong here. We had two years of heritage days where members of various cultures set up booths with food and info about their home country, most wearing what they would if they were back there. Our leadership consists of varying ethnic groups too, but all of these people love and follow Jesus.
This year, the numbers grew. Next week we return to two services as the church building cannot hold all who come. Instead of heritage days, we had a morning where the service began with a scene that I will never forget. As the music played, people representing their home culture came in carrying large flags from those countries and alternately crossed at the front before going up on the platform.
The number was countable in this place, yet astonishing, and the sense of unity and joy that filled the room still fills my heart. Someone referred to this passage from the NT, and God gave us a little glimpse of what heaven will be like:
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, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9–10)Yesterday I chatted with several people. Two from two African countries, another from Pakistan, and three from Canada who are familiar with the heritage of their parents and grandparents. Of course we feed them all and of course those assigned to that serving task need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. This is what God wants. No one serves Him in their own strength and when that kind of love is shown, He blesses us with an increase.
Jesus, I am blessed today with the joy of remembering these events and Your goodness, and the faces of many who are learning English and learning about You in a place where they feel just as much a part of your large uncountable family as I do. Thank You. Thank You.