Binding to Those in Proximity

“To go means we go together.” This is the Macuan proverb that Pastor Szmara references in this lesson. He tells the story of two African men getting into his car to show him directions to a radio station. Without their help on this level, he would have never found the place he was looking for.

This reminds Zach of the story in Acts 8:25-40 where Philip joins the Ethiopian eunuch in his chariot to explore the meaning of a Scripture. The word that Pastor Szmara focuses on is kollao, which means to join. It is related to the Greek word for “glue.” 

Philip doesn’t just pray for this Ethiopian eunuch. God is not content for him merely to send him a letter or email. God tells Philip to “be joined” to his chariot. Philip gets up and sits with him. Philip reads the Scripture with him. Philip presents the word of God to him.

Demographic data suggests that the presence of immigrants is rising everywhere in the United States, and Canada has also had a strong push to develop its immigrant population. In other words, it is extremely likely that you are proximate to immigrants in your very community, wherever you are. Have you seen them, or are they a part of your community that you don’t see? More importantly, are you ready to “glue yourself” to them?