"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity..." This is what part of our Bellflower Christian community experienced about two weeks ago as we gathered on a Sunday evening to worship our Lord under a warm late summer sky. As the praises went up some people raised their hands in adoration while others simply held them reverently at their sides. Some stood; some sat; others clapped and even swayed with the rhythm of the music, while some remained immobile and in silence perhaps letting their hearts speak out. We were culturally diverse, yet we worshipped as one. We were of various backgrounds, but united in Christ.
As I stood there watching and listening to the praises of God's people, I was reminded that God not only delights but dwells in the praises of his people. We are God's Kingdom, and he dwells among us. We are his ambassadors to Bellflower. If we can come together as one to praise him, shouldn't we also come together as one to serve him in our community? Could we work together using our unique and different backgrounds for his glory? Could we worship him as one by uniting in service to the poor and the needy, to the homeless and the hungry, or to whomever God puts in our path today? It is my prayer that just as our praises were raised as one, that praying and working as one in the community in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will cause the people of Bellflower to worship and give thanks to God, to declare his glory, and to acknowledge that God's Kingdom has truly come to them.
