A Global Celebration!

Happy New 2008 !, originally uploaded by Coolmitch.

I've really enjoyed seeing how different countries around the globe have celebrated the coming of the New Year!

Today's pic is the second-tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. As you can see, the New Year's fireworks display was spectacular!

As followers of Christ, we have a lot to celebrate...every day of the year! What God has done for us in Christ is truly breath-taking and awe-inspiring. Gratitude should flow through our veins without ceasing.

Because of what God has done for us, our perspective of the world should be transformed by Jesus. We should truly live "global" lives. In other words, it's not all about "us" and our beloved country. As Christ followers, we should care deeply about all people groups, tribes, language groups, and countries around the world. The fact is, we serve a global Savior. Christ died for all, not just for people like us.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being patriotic and loving the country where you live. But let's not become isolationist in our spiritual thinking. We should care deeply about what is going on in faraway places like Pakistan and Kenya. What happens there, can and will have an effect on us. Remember, we have spiritual brothers and sisters that are hurting in those places right now. The church is under attack on the global stage. We need to stay connected to them in our prayers, and in our goings, and in our giving.

There's one thing we know for sure about our future--Heaven is going to be a wonderfully multi-ethnic place. God's Word tells us, "...I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'" (Revelation 7:9,10) Heaven is truly a global celebration!

At Christmas time, it's a tradition to have advent candles and Nativity scenes in our homes. Maybe throughout the rest of the year, we need to have a globe on prominent display. It makes a great visual reminder of our spiritual family that is scattered in places all around the world.

Live the Red,

Mark