“After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9) 

What a stunning visual for us Christians to step back and take in! The apostle John sees a gathering of people, all speaking different languages, all with different God-breathed gifts, all with different skin colors, and ALL sitting at the feet of Jesus. It is amazing that with so many differences separating us, our love for Jesus is powerful enough to unify us. This is a potent, poignant reminder that all people are precious to God, and no race, ethnicity, or background is exempt from His love (Galatians 3:28).

As we enter the first week of Black History Month, celebrating our differences along with the varying God-given gifts the Lord has given us, it speaks to the heart of this Ben Lippen community. Black History Month is not only a time to recognize the many contributions African Americans have made to society but also to embrace the differences that will make us a beautiful tapestry when we all stand before Jesus one day. From the very beginning, in Genesis 1:27, we see that “God created mankind in His own image,” and what a joy it is to walk the halls of our school and see a great multitude with so many differences, yet unified before the Lamb.

- Ashley Mack, Community Life Coordinator