foreign friends

Do you have close friends you wouldn't normally be friends with if you both were not followers of Jesus?  How does this happen?

When I look at the diversity in the people I have bonded with in the last 5 years, I smile.  From people in their 80's to children that are 4.  From East Indian to German. From Catholic to Pentecostal. From complete introverts to people that need to have 5 conversations at once.  Our diversity has made us more like the fullness of our Savior. Our Unity makes us one body under his leadership.

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. ”Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death." -Paul in the letter to the Ephesians

One of my favorite relationships was made at the beach one summer.  She gave little eye contact, and spoke even less.  I knew we were meant to be friends, the Father had been very specific.  He had actually taken my hand and drawn me to her. His pull between us was too strong to ignore.  As our children played and other people came in between and around, spirit danced with spirit, and with very few words I came to know her in silence.  Awkwardness became peace, and in an ever so gentle way the introvert was melded with the extrovert, and friendship was made.  I have no history of this "God" friend, I have very few commonalities with her.  Jesus introduced us for the pure purpose of His glory.  The beauty being, we both recognize this, and in a once woman of God lone dance, there is now two.  Thank you, Lord.

"How many of your friends would you not be friends with if you weren't a Christian?"  This was asked of me in my 20's with a negative connotation to prove that believers end up picking up all of the "loosers."  What a sad place to be as a believer. Looking at follow brothers and sisters in Christ with barriers up, lost opportunity lost fellowship with the Father, in His grace and love. I'm sure the Father weeps over such comments, and the searching through His precious faces to label some in the world’s eyes as loosers.

Can you sit at a table with different color, theological backgrounds, human capability, and trust that God has his hands over the others around you?  There is unity in the cross.  There is peace in the cross.  God delights in peace, in unity.  And remember: it is all about God.

 "And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you." -Paul letter to the Galatians