Ephesus, Turkey taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
In the summer of 2011 I was blessed to be able to visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Turkey. I walked the same streets and stood in the same areas that Saint Paul did over two thousand years earlier. To see the beautiful remains of this ancient city is truly amazing. To realize that it is part of the foundation of my Christianity is humbling, for we are all gentiles. If not for Peter, Paul, and all the apostles and saints, the Gospel might have been held captive by a few select and elite people. Through their preaching efforts and through the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are one people, one family. We cannot single ourselves out. We cannot take credit for our faith. We can, however, continue the efforts of those who have gone before us and carry the Gospel message of salvation to the farthest reaches of the earth. We can do so through our charity and our prayers, and by sharing our awareness of the needs being unmet.
When we see those in need, because we have been blessed by and with our faith, we are called to respond. It is fairly easy to respond to the needs of our own faith families and local communities. It may be harder to respond to the wider and far reaching needs of a hurting and ignorant world. We must be determined to find our own personal path to making a difference. Not all are called to go, but all are called to serve. Take some time to research some local and some worldwide outreach services. There are many options for all walks of faith. Find one or two that meet your faith criteria and reach out to them. Remember that prayers are needed as much, and often more, than any amount of money you do or don’t have. Remember too that time and actions are eternal, and do not have physical limitations. Love, compassion, and acceptance are gifts beyond measure. They are the Gospel.
I can’t help but wonder what our ruins will one day say to the people who visit them. The ruins at Ephesus speaks loud and clear as did Saint Paul: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household…”
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I guess our ruins wont be a close match to the ones in Ephesus 🙁