Everyone Everywhere

...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3

These are God's words to Abraham. Apparently, from the beginning, God's plan was not just to bless some people. Instead, he's wanting to bless ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH. That's everyone, everywhere. 

Throughout both the Old Testament God keeps reminding us that he's after everyone. Jesus keeps up the theme in his teaching, ending with an exclamation mark in these final words: "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:20). 

Apparently God's concerned not just about us. Yes, he's concerned about us. Yes, he loves us. But his vision is so much bigger. He longs for the whole world to be able to connect with him in love. He prophecies about Jesus that "It is too small a thing for you to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isa 49:6).

Think about what it might look like for your heart to open up a bit bigger today, to care for more of the world than the little slice of it you inhabit. Would you be open to a child sponsorship through World Vision or supporting a foreign missionary or praying once a day for some other country or getting to know an immigrant or finding a way to travel somewhere to serve people far away? Take time and ponder these things and pray about taking a practical step to participate with God's great heart for all nations.