Christ Church Daily Devotion Feb 11 2024

In this Daily Devotion, the speaker reads from Revelation chapter 7, verse 9, which describes a vision of a diverse group of people worshiping before God. The speaker reflects on the importance of embracing diversity in the church and connecting with people who are different from us. They invite listeners to pray for the ability to connect with others and help them come to know and serve God. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for February 11th, 2024. Today we will be reading from Revelation chapter 7, verse 9. After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes, and were holding palm branches in their hands. Yesterday we looked at the call to Abram, in which God made clear a desire to bless all the people of the earth through this covenant people God was seeking. Here, at the end of the biblical story, as part of the vision given to John, is the image of a huge group standing before God from every nation, tribe, people, and language. It is what God's people looks like. It is what the church is to look like. When I had the opportunity to attend the United Methodist Church quadrennial assembly, called General Conference, one of the parts of that I have loved the most is seeing people from nations around the world worshiping God together. Many are in their native dress, and we sometimes hear the songs in different languages. It was a good reminder to me that my way of worshiping God and relating to God is not the only way. As I did yesterday, I again invite you to reflect and pray on or about how you can be more intentional to connect with people who are different than you. I sometimes pray, Lord, help us stay so connected to you that we can help other people come to know you. Obviously, a key piece of that effort will be to connect with them. Your personal worship option today is, Lord, help me to connect with people all around me, including those who are different from me, and help me stay so connected to you that I can help them come to know, love, and serve you. Through Christ. Amen.