In Christ There Is No East or West (ELW 650)
1 In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
2 In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close binding human-kind.
3 Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate’er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
4 In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
Devotion
The words of this hymn cast a true vision of a savior who knows no boundaries, whether of country, race, or class. As the words of Ephesians tell us, Jesus has broken down all the walls that divide us, so that we are one people through the cross. As we worship and serve together we get a glimpse of this reality. Some have said that Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week, and yet, the words of the hymn are correct: “All children of the living God are surely kin to me.” How can we make this a reality? How can we live the words we sing? The Dakota have a saying, “We are all related.” In Christ, this saying has become true. We may not look very much alike on the outside, but we are related, because each of us bears the image of God, and each of us has been claimed by the love of God.
Prayer
Loving God, give us eyes to see your face in one another. Give us the will to break down barriers that still exist. In your name, Amen.