RL1: Globablization

RL1? You may be wondering. . .that stands for Red Letters 1. I'll title them that so I can go back and check them easily! Ok, I started reading and couldn't put it down. Actually, that's not totally true. I wanted to put it down a number of times, and even had to take breaks while reading b/c it is such heavy material. . .but, I kept reading and am loving the book. I have just finished the first 4 chapters. . .There is so much to post about already! I think instead of posting about each chapter, I will post every few days with thematic posts re: what I'm learning. . .It's hard even now to figure out what to post on first. . .

So, let me start with Globalization.

Globalization is the concept that b/c of technology and trade, our world is shrinking. We can ship things overnight across the world. Not only CAN we know about other places in the world more easily now, but b/c of things like outsourcing, those places actually become crucial to our world here. This concept is probably easier for those in the business world to understand. They are often times checking other gov't financial markets, even placing calls to business partners overseas. For a stay-at-home mom, this may not be as much of a reality. But, I see it as an opportunity! I have actually been thinking about this a LOT lately and Tom Davis touched upon it in his book. It used to be that "they" lived in another world. Whoever THEY was, we didn't really understand that world. Even growing up. . .I was passionate about missions and wanted to read every missionary book I could get my hands on. However, b/c it was a book, just like any history book I could read, it still felt removed. Now, however, that is all changing for me. I am LOVING getting to know people all across the world. I have friends all across this nation and am checking blogs every day for missionaries throughout Africa. This has made me, for one, much more global minded. I don't think a year ago, I would have had any clue about the politics of Kenya and am now following them daily.

This struck me yesterday in church. We were singing a song about the various nations crying out to God in praise. I loved kneeling there in church and feeling like I was before the throne room and lifting to Him along with some of you guys: 2 kids in Liberia longing to be home and their family in CO waiting anxiously for them. 3 kids in Liberia waiting to come home to a family and desperately needing the healing of Jesus from the loss of their birth mom, the children in the slums of Kenya who are hungry today, the island in Uganda whose food supply is running out. . .and doing it all knowing that those very same people were being lifted up that morning across the world. It was a very cool moment for me. A recognition of how close we really are. . .of how eternity will really be. He sees us all! This world IS small for Him! ok, it may not be big for you, but it brought tears streaming down my face!

How does this correspond with the "Red Letters" theme? Well, now when I read about the AIDS crisis, it's not just "them". "They" aren't dealing with something that I will never hear about. Their stories are the ones I could read about. They are the kids that Amy and Bethany in Uganda or Daniel and Margeret in Kenya are touching and holding every day. They are the kids that Darbi is going to serve. They are more than just stories. They need my Jesus. My Jesus may be calling me to help them. . .and, with gloabalization this is even easier to do. . .So, I think the first step is opening my heart and choosing to care. . .choosing to hurt for them. And knowing, in the midst of that, it is beautiful. It is beautiful that we get to know a little more of our savior when we choose to care and hurt and help others. He said, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me" He is actively involved. We can be impacted by our choice to care b/c it will bring us closer to Him.