Today's Devotional

January 17, 2005

Subject:  Globalization

Mark 16:15 - "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Globalization is current speak on the interrelatedness of all people around the world, whether by the business markets and economies or by the communication networks that keep us all tied together.  The first globalization effort was directed by God, so as we go about "The Great Commission," we continue in it today.  Listening to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  I see how he was able to see the significance of that network and didn't merely call for America to be right in America, but for us to play a lead role around the world.  Here are some excerpts from some of his speeches:

"All life is interrelated."

"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. Tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.  As long as there is extreme poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars.  As long as disease is rampant, no one can be totally healthy even if he just got a check up in the finest clinic of the nation.  Strangely, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.  This is the interrelated structure of reality.  This is the meaning of having a world perspective."  

"God is not interested in the freedom of black men, He is interested in the freedom of all men."  

As we mull today's issues, as believers we should have a global view of our responsibilities to the world.  Every man/woman of God is a missionary whose bounds are limited only by God's providence as we "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  Dr. King understood that and so too should we.  

Carlen