Imagine being a visitor in a foreign land, showing up unannounced at a gathering of people you have never met and who have never heard of you - and then being allowed to address that group just a few minutes later. That can happen only if something breaks down barriers - something like mutual friends. It happened when I took a missions team to a church service in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Before we left the US, my friend Dorant Brown, a Jamaican pastor, recommended a church to attend. So, when we arrived at the church, and I mentioned Pastor Brown, we were not only welcomed, but I was also asked to speak briefly and our team was asked to sing. While sharing Dorant's name was vital, I really don't think it was that mutual friend who got us such a warm welcome. I think it was our shared Friend and Savior Jesus who opened our Jamaican friends' hearts to our visit.
Have you experienced a connection with someone you just met when you tell them you too know Jesus? He's a friend who laid down His life for us (John 15:13), and He makes brothers and sisters of all who believe (1 Peter 2:17). Jesus. Our Savior. Our mutual Friend. He joins hearts around the world under the banner of His love. Those who are drawn to Christ are drawn to each other.
Amen
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