How about some outside perspective?
By “outside” I mean, outside our Western culture, standard, and viewpoint. It’s a different world out there, and much of it is dangerous.
In one sense, it is foolhardy to compare perceived difficulties. One person’s debilitation is another’s motivation. Nevertheless, there is merit in comparison.
It required several trips to less-privileged places before I developed the ability to process my experiences and place the education I received in proper context. For example, a friend in the Balkans asked why Americans had veterinarians when countries like his did not have enough medical doctors. “Instead of spending money and time on your pets, why don’t you help us educate and place more doctors?”
While I have wrestled a conclusion together in my mind now, his question caught me off guard at the time. His was a perspective I had never considered. We cannot realize the stress that is occurring in the rest of the world unless we determine to poke our heads outside our door and have a look around.
I place a premium on this. One, I’m interested, but two, LGI reaches into 140-some countries. As you know, we have ministered extensively in
As I considered my letter to you this morning while I was out for my bicycle ride, I concluded that I wanted to say two things: First is the same point I make often: Your prayers, support, testimonies, and sharing of ministry products and messages with others makes you a partner in advancing the message and ministry God has called us to propagate. Second, the ease of the West stands in stark contrast to the rest of the world.
As you are reading this sentence, Believers’ lives are on the line for their faith. Many will be martyred. One of our friends was killed for his faith just a few days ago. It was/is intense. In all the news “hot spots” our family in the faith are endeavoring to share their faith. For many, their lives are on the line.
It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? As I write, my neighborhood is quiet. Next door, the kids are being home schooled. A new house is going up a few doors down. The LGI office is purring like a cat in the sun. But in the spiritual world, warring factions are rocking the foundations of several hundred million people.
Should we feel guilty for the relative luxury and safety we enjoy by comparison? No, the Western world drives the rest of the world. Without the West, the world would collapse. But we should pay attention, and leverage our influence.
The West will not lead forever. We are already marginalized. Now is our moment! Today is the day to deliver our message of life in and through Christ.
As Thomas Friedman wrote, the world is flat. In other words, it has globalized. Our message is rocketing around the world at the speed of light on fiber optic networks otherwise known as the Internet. Friend, the web is a different medium than a pulpit, a radio program, or a seminar, but it is proving a very effective means for sharing our message. When you support LGI, you contribute to missions at home and abroad!
I must not give details, but LGI is behind the scenes ministering directly to those engaged in several of the political hot spots. We are working alongside some of the strategic leadership whose folks are reaching into difficult and dangerous places. Pray for us. Pray for them. Know that your support fuels LGI’s ability to transfer our message to these influential gatekeepers.
We live in a challenging world, one that escapes us in the West if we are not careful. Jesus promised that the world would be turbulent. But He encourages us emphatically in His next breath, “I have overcome the world.”
Thanks for praying. Don’t forget to pray for me as I counsel and encourage them.
Bless you,
PS I know LGI’s involvement in global ministry is a bit abstract. I’m sorry to be vague. People’s lives are on the line. Pray for them. Pray for us. Pray for the ministry of our website; we reach multiplied thousands every day. Pray for additional financial partners. Pray about your contribution and then act. Pray that God will keep our eyes open—yours and mine. There is a great spiritual harvest…and there is great opposition.
