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8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers,10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you, as I have among the rest of the gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish, 15 hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

 

The World Cup events taking place in the U.S. have caused scores of travelers to visit our country for the first time. Many of them have posted their reactions on social media. They seem generally surprised by what they find here: kindness, sweetness, fun and enjoyment, Walmart’s and Sam’s Clubs they compare to amusement parks that leave them absolutely floored when they encounter gallon-sized jars of mayonnaise. People are tasting ranch dressing and Texas barbecue for the first time and it’s like their life has changed with wonder and amazement.

It’s heartening to watch, since their media often conveys the U.S. as unwelcoming of foreigners, dirty, hostile, and generally (apparently, according to these content creators) not a place they would have chosen to visit otherwise, apart from the World Cup.

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with the encouragement that “your faith is proclaimed throughout the world.” That is what the Christians in Rome are known for—their greatness of faith.

For some time now, according to these recent travelers to the U.S., our country has not enjoyed a good reputation among those who seek to visit a nice, friendly and fun place. Now, they know we have recent first-hand credit for being able to actually drink your beer while watching the game (not a thing overseas??)—and endlessly so in Boston—being served ranch with virtually any meal upon request, and having arguably the best barbecue…anywhere. We have some beautiful, clean beaches and it doesn’t even cost much to sit back and enjoy them.

And…drumroll…we even have friendly, kind, fun, welcoming people here, to boot! We’re not all like what they see on their TVs.

Social media has its pitfalls. But it can also “influence” people’s perception of reality by cutting through big media and seeing what real people, whom they trust, experience.

The Roman Christians were recognized throughout the rest of world Christendom for their strength of faith, according to Paul. How encouraged the Roman Christians must have felt, reading that letter from him. They didn’t have social media or videos to pre-plan a projected image of themselves. Their strength of faith showed through in how they lived.

The same holds true of human behavior and trust today, even though technology has changed. We show others who we are as Americans, as Christians, as _______ (you fill in what applies to you), mostly not through our statements, videos and imagery, but the truth of how we live. People believe what they experience. They thought they knew something about the U.S. and Americans because they saw something on a device from Asia, Australia or Europe, but now

that they have “tasted and seen” for themselves, their personal experience holds much more weight.

Is it possible that the way we live out our Christian faith could ever be as strong as Texas Barbecue, as exciting as the first taste of Ranch, or as mind-blowing as a first glimpse of Sam’s Club, when people enter our midst?

That’s a growth point for us. America has often been compared to the fabric of a tapestry. We all have a part to play in how we live out our identity, which forms into an overall image and reputation, for better or worse. When people experience us, and then write the “letters,” as Paul did (nowadays, the TikTok video or Post), what will they say is the hallmark of US?

We pray: Holy God, you are with all peoples, in every place and throughout the ages. Thank you for the strength of faith of Christians in Paul’s time, and brave Christians today who still face persecution and danger. Convict us to live lives worthy of the faith to which we have been called, so that our public witness will be undeniably shaped by the One who has called, saved and sent us. May our love and compassion toward strangers and neighbors be our banner. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Beverly Struckmann

pastorbev@livinglord.org