Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
Psalm 107:22

One of the things I love about being a pastor is getting to know people from different places. I’ve been very fortunate to pastor in two churches with a vast diversity of people who attended. One church is racially diverse with a number of African American, Hispanic and White people all worshipping and ministering together. The other church is socio-economically diverse with an even mix of academic, maintenance, farming and industry people worshiping and ministering together. The best thing about getting to know people is getting to know their stories. There is something that draws Christians even closer together once we share our common connection with God. I especially love hearing about the journey Christians have endured on their way to belief in Jesus when I’m gathered with other Christians. In every case, God called them from different places and from different circumstances. As Psalm 107 says, “He gathered them from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” He has gathered them from the dessert and led them to a new home. He gathered them from prison and broke their chains. He gathered them from sin and saved them and healed them. He gathered them from storms and quieted their raging seas. So today, get to know someone’s story. You just might learn something about them that will encourage you to keep going on your own journey.