I have Swedish blood, but I've never really explored this part of my heritage until Pastor Eric introduced me to IKEA this summer. That little taste of Sweden was enough to prompt me to learn more about my ancestors in Sweden. Shortly after that, I came across an article about "genealogy vacations" to Sweden. Apparently an increasing number of people are planning vacations to Sweden to connect with long lost relatives and see their ancestral homeland.
Something within us longs for this kind of bond - enough to pay thousands of dollars to travel to Sweden to meet a distant cousin! Even if we don't know these 'relatives,' we feel some sort of connection with them because we are from the same (very extended) family.
Christians should experience something like this, but much stronger. I John 5:1 says Whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. If you love God, you will love God's children - they are truly your family. You share the greatest gift ever: Jesus Christ. You share the greatest news ever: the gospel. You share the greatest Father: God Himself. You share the greatest experience: salvation and 'new birth.' Just this morning I read these words: "No matter what differences appear on the surface, our stronger identity is in our union with Christ. [Other Christians] may be dressed differently, be from another culture, or be of a different ethnic background than I, but my heart is warmed toward them as I think of them as children of my own Father in heaven." (Essential Virtues, p.119)
This is one of my greatest joys as a pastor. The world talks about tolerance and unity and 'love' all the time, but in the local church I get to see it truly happen. God, by His grace, brings together a group of diverse people into a caring church family. It truly is an amazing unity.