“Google Earth” software can focus on your house, then zoom out and out, wider and wider, until a satellite view of the whole earth fills your computer screen. Perhaps, like me, you have had “zooming out” experiences that help you to see the “multitude of nations” that are our fellow children of God.
Right here:
At Goshen College where I work, I rub shoulders with students who come from more than 30 countries.
In the surrounding community:
I often hear grocery store conversations in Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Pennsylvania Dutch.
In the United States:
In Indianapolis last summer, my husband’s doctors and nurses came from Lebanon, Poland, India, Uganda, Argentina and China, as well as the United States.
On planet Earth:
At the 2009 Mennonite World Conference in Paraguay, I sat among thousands of Christians gathered from six continents, singing praise to God in Spanish, French, German, English, Portuguese and several indigenous languages.
But why stop at planet Earth?
Perhaps, beyond our galaxy, other “Abrahams” are being called to step out in faith. As British songwriter Sydney Carter says, in his song “Every Star Shall Sing a Carol,”
Who can tell what other cradle high above the Milky Way
still may rock the King of Heaven on another Christmas day?
Who can count how many crosses still to come or long ago
crucify the King of Heaven? Holy is the name I know.
PRAYER:
Zoom out our love, God, so that it encompasses all of your dear children in the multitude of nations, near and far.