Global People

Turning on the news can be a heart wrenching experience.

Recently a deadly cyclone slammed into Bangladesh. Political and social upheaval consumes Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Genocide continues in Darfur.

All of this news and the seeming inability of world leaders to do anything about it has a deadening, numbing effect on our hearts. We become used to global tragedies, and worse, some begin to think it is the way the world should be. While I long for the new Heaven and Earth promised in Revelation 21:1, I know that true faith means acknowledging that disaster and crisis are not God’s MO – and live accordingly today.

Christians all across the world, of every race, language, and people group, are linked by the one Spirit that dwells within us. All humanity bears the Seed of God waiting to sprout - and so we are global people. People of all nations stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in the midst of tragedy.

Fortunately, we in the Pacific Northwest live in a mild climate. However, this does not mean we can stand with scoffing indifference before those who live in hurricane threatened coast line, or among trees that the summer sun lights like a tinder box. No, the heart of God breaks for people of every nation and geography and so should ours. We have responsibility for, and stand in solidarity with, our brothers and sisters.

Holding places of crisis prayerfully as the community of faith is an appropriate response. As a wealthy nation, contributing financially to organizations like World Vision and Mennonite Disaster Services is another responsibility, with great biblical precedent. Paul traveled among the churches of Asia Minor collecting financial relief for the people of Jerusalem during a drought (see 1 Cor. 16).

Too often when the news of tragedy comes across my path I find myself saying, “whew, I’m glad I’m not them.” The truth is I hope that my heart breaks for all the things that break God’s heart. God does not discriminate between people and culture. So my prayer is that Friends will develop a global perspective, as people who stand in solidarity with pain and tragedy whether it is down the street or across the ocean.