PODCAST
Connected Kingdom Living
June 14th, 2021
1 Thessalonians 2:17—3:5
In a few moments of conversation with my colleague, I realized what I had not previously grasped fully in my five years living cross culturally and working as a chaplain at a Christian university in Kenya. I had simply greeted her with my condolences at the loss of her mother and begun apologizing for not being present at the burial.
In Kenyan culture the burials are an extremely important moment to show your support. Family, friends, and colleagues will travel to the burial no matter how far away it might be. If you are not able to attend yourself, it is important to send someone in your place. This shows your solidarity.
Before I could finish getting out my words of apology, my colleague interrupted me saying, “No, you sent your associate chaplain and we received him. It is well.”
This connectedness and care for others is what the apostle Paul is displaying. Paul passionately communicates the kingdom values of sacrifice, concern, and care because his heart is hidden in Christ.
How can we show solidarity with our church and community?
Author: Cindy Shomo North
