The Color of Glory

This weekend I had the privilege of being invited to speak at the South Carolina United Methodist Men’s Conference. In a day where men’s ministry is almost non-existent in the majority of mainline evangelical churches, the leadership team there has grown this event from 175 to 1200 in just 4 years. That is miraculous.

But the aspect that excited me far more than the numbers was this—racial diversity. There was an amazing mix of African American churches and white churches attending. The folks involved with the program were also evenly split between white and black. I personally had never before had the opportunity to see this kind of much-needed unity among Christians, much less with men.

Over the past year, I have been working on a book project with an Eastern Indian man who is a third generation Christian, now living in the U.S. As we have shared our stories, truths, and faith over the course of this project, we have become friends and partners in the Gospel.

Here is the quite beautiful thing I noticed this weekend, as well as over the past year. Where nationality, geography, accents, cultures, etc. all create dividing lines, Christ brings such a unifying factor that all these divisions quickly fade away and all you eventually see is your brother in Christ.

When we allow Jesus to be our foundation and focus, all the differences fade and He becomes our Common Denominator.

This weekend, I met many men who may have many differences from me, but at their core, are just like me, because we are in Him.

This past year, my Eastern Indian friend has become my Heavenly friend. You know, that Place where we won’t see any color but glory. But, really, we can start seeing that right here when we see with His eyes.

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. —Galatians 3:27-28 NLT