A Slice of Heaven on Heritage Sunday

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

In a world torn by division, we found unity.
In a time marked by violence, we found peace.
In the face of hatred and racism, we found love.

We don’t have to look far to see the brokenness around us. The news is filled with stories of war, political strife, injustice, racism, and deep divisions between nations and neighbors. But that doesn’t mean we can never experience a little slice of heaven on earth. Sometimes we experience unity among believers that gives us a taste of what heaven will be like when God finally brings together “every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”

This past Sunday, Heritage Sunday, we experienced that taste of heaven. Fourteen nations gathered under one roof, worshiping the same God with many voices. We sang songs in different languages. We prayed with different accents. We laughed, danced, shared meals from our homelands, and celebrated our unique stories. And in that sacred space, we were reminded: what the world tries to tear apart, God’s love holds together.

Revelation 7:9 paints the picture of eternity—a day when every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before the throne of God. Yesterday, we stepped into that vision. We lived it. For a few precious hours, we pushed back against the powers of hatred and division. We declared with our worship, fellowship, and joy: this is what God’s kingdom looks like.

Heritage Sunday wasn’t just a celebration of our differences—it was a witness to the power of unity in Christ — a bold declaration that racism, violence, and hatred will not have the last word. Love will.

And as we return to our daily lives, we carry this charge: to keep building the beloved community, to keep showing the world that many nations can be one family under God. Every time we gather in love, every time we break bread together, every time we make space for each other’s stories, we bring a little more heaven to earth.

May we not leave this “slice of heaven” behind in yesterday’s celebration. May we look for it every day—in the kindness of a neighbor, in the laughter of a child, in shared meals, in acts of mercy and justice, and in moments of unexpected joy.

I invite you today: seek out your own slice of heaven. Create it. Share it. Be it.
Because every time we choose love over hate, unity over division, and hope over despair, we bring a little more heaven to earth.

Prayer: God of every nation, thank You for showing us Your kingdom on Heritage Sunday. In a divided world, make us agents of peace and love. Help us celebrate every culture while standing together in Christ. May we live as a slice of heaven until all nations worship before Your throne. Amen.

Written by Rev. Kay Dubuisson