Aren't We All the Same?

Tol and I were in Tortola a few weeks ago working with the church there and I want to share with you some thoughts. Aren't' we all the same? The church in Tortola is a small group of 30 or so. They live on a tiny, beautiful island in the middle of the Caribbean where many of us dream of going to vacation.

But, they LIVE there--not vacation there. They deal with the same struggles in life that everyone else does. They have to work to make ends meet (and the cost of living is outrageous there) just like everyone else. They have to get dinner ready each day, do laundry, clean house, deal with illnesses and they have the same concerns within the church that all congregations have. They battle with error and fight to stand for truth. They have varying personalities and work to be unified in the common bond of Christ despite their individual opinions. They are Christians living in a worldly society just like you and me.

When we left Tortola, we went to Puerto Rico where we met with a very tiny group of Christians (around 12 or so) who worship in the City of San Juan--a metropolis of 2 million people. Talk about feeling isolated. Truly they are Christians living in a worldly society.

There are brethren all over the world striving to live a life for Christ amid a world living for Satan. We may have different surroundings, different climate, different languages, but the struggles are the same and we are united in our goal--Heaven.

I am continually encouraged by the brethren I know in these small places. I see them struggle and yet persevere against seemingly insurmountable odds. They just keep hanging on. It is a testament to me that I must do the same. Paul said he do all things through Christ who strengthened him. So can we. Aren't we all the same?

Dana Burk