Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people. 1 Peter 2:10 

Beulah Heights University has over 700 students from nearly 50 countries and 38 different denominations world wide. Located near Glenwood Park, the University serves an ethnically diverse student body. But when they gather in worship they are led in an African-American style.

I know these things because I was invited to preach for their chapel this past Thursday.

The previous evening I had the privilege of sharing with folks at Redeemer on the above passage. Then I asked how many of us shared German heritage or a Scandinavian heritage - most of us raised our hands. Then I asked us to all close our eyes and imagine the Christian Church all together from around the world. What would it look like? We agreed that the northern Europeans would be in the minority. We also agreed that, in Christ, we were one people - no longer ethnically or culturally defined, but identified by our faith in the Risen One, Jesus.

That's what I experienced Thursday in chapel at Beulah Heights. This "pasty white guy" (as a friend of mine calls us) was welcomed as a brother. The worship was shared - though there was no organ - just a keyboard, bass guitar and a small set of drums. There was music I didn't know as well as some that I did know. But it all came down to the God we worship - not what we sounded like or looked like or where we came from.

My picture of the Church has grown over the years. I have had the pleasure of preaching in situations like Beulah Heights before. But I have also had the joy of proclaiming the Gospel to Korean Christians who think nothing of praying - literally praying! - for three or more hours at a time. I have listened and shared the Gospel in Latino worship and cathedral worship. I would not feel comfortable in all of these venues for a long time - but that hardly matters. Many of them wouldn't feel moved in the venue I feel most at home in. But I am comfortable and blessed by the common witness and faith that we share. I am lifted up and deeply touched by genuine Christian worship - in almost any style. I am so glad that our God is bigger than my comfort zone - yet makes worship possible precisely there as well. And I am glad to be a part of Christ's Church that has made me a part of the people of God, a part of you. So, I thank God for worship and you.

Lord Jesus Christ, what a wonder it is to be in your presence in so many different ways. Remind me that worship is all about you. Amen