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It’s a Small World after All

May 12, 2015 By Jennifer H. Yates 1 Comment

12 May
It's a Small World after All

My favorite ride at Disney World is It’s a Small World. I love to take that boat ride through all of the different cultures–the scenery, colors, costumes, music–somehow they all seem to come together as one.

I feel the same way about Epcot–being able to walk through different “countries” and taste the various flavors of each ethnicity, talk to people from different backgrounds, and see and hear the diversity of architecture, fabrics, flavors, and music is quite a cultural experience.

I often look up at the moon at night and imagine what it looks like from a distant land. Then it occurs to me that it looks the same. Whether I view the moon from my backyard in the country, surrounded by cotton fields and forests, or whether someone views it from a jungle or the Outback or the Sahara, it’s the same moon.

When man rebelliously sought to build a name for themselves, God scattered them over all the earth and confused their language (Genesis 11:1-9). Then through Jesus, God drew all of the world back to Himself. Jesus died for all the world.

John the Baptist saw Jesus and exclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17, NIV, (emphasis mine)

Tell me, do you love the world? I mean, do you really love the world as God has called us to love the world? I don’t mean loving the things of this world. I mean, do you love the people of this world–every tribe, nation, color, language–enough to go and tell them? To pray for them? To financially support those who take the Gospel to them?

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

John 14:6

If we truly believe that He is the only way, then how willing are we to share that way with a world that doesn’t know Him? Do we view other people as part of their “group” or as individuals in need of a Savior?

It really is a small world. Somewhere, probably many times over, there is a woman my age, my size, my abilities and intellect, who lives in some other region of the world. Her skin color is different–her language and customs, too. But, she is married, like I am, and has a son and a daughter whom she loves with every breath. She enjoys music and books and learning. She is social and outgoing, loves the outdoors and birds. But she doesn’t know Jesus. She is just like me, yet without the hope of eternity.

She suffers heartache and pain in this world, yet without the peace that passes understanding. She loses loved ones without the hope of one day being reunited with them. She feels the guilt of sin, yet doesn’t know forgiveness and grace. She will walk outside tonight and look up at the same moon as I, and yet not know the One who formed it.

I am sad for her tonight. Because deep down, I want to be right there with her, to hold her hand, to look in her eyes, and say, “Yes, dear one, there is a Savior.”

Our world is hungry for truth. We can’t let the enemy convince us that it’s not our problem. We can’t think that we Americans are better or more deserving than the rest of the world. Jesus didn’t come to save America. He came to save the world.

I think we have somehow allowed our churches to become clubs of which we are privileged to be members. We feel really good about ourselves if we put some money in the plate for missions and let that be the end of it.

But that’s not the Gospel.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

God may not be calling you “to the ends of the earth,” but are you willing to be His witness in your Jerusalem–the grocery store, the post office, the little league stands? Are you willing to intercede for those He does send? Are you willing to give out of your riches (compared to most of the world) so that someone can go in Jesus’ name?

It really is a small world. We are not so different. We may look different, dress differently, talk differently, and even worship differently, but we all have the same need: to know the one true God and be known by Him. In the end, nothing else will matter.

I don’t know her name. I don’t know her story. She may live across the street or across the world. But I know that deep down, she’s just like me. She desperately needs the Savior.

Do you want to know how to have saving faith in Christ? Click here to learn how.

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Filed Under: Missions Tagged With: disciples, Disney World, earth, It's a Small World, Jennifer H Yates, Jesus, love, missions, moon, one thing, Savior, witnesses, world

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About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey, friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends.

I've found that many women struggle to find time and focus to grow their relationship with God through studying His Word. I encourage and challenge women with practical strategies and helpful resources for quality study in as little as fifteen minutes a day.

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"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel--the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-4, NIV).
All of Scripture, all of history, all of time has been about Jesus Christ, Son of God. 
Do you know Him? You can. His life, death, and resurrection are historical fact. All so that you could know Him and have eternal life.
Jesus loves you! ❤

"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee fo
"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Luke 23:55-56).
Can you imagine the horror these women had witnessed? Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others had followed Jesus and helped support his ministry (Luke 8:3).
Now all their hopes had been crushed as they stood at a distance and witnessed Jesus' agonizing death on the cross (Luke 23:49). His own mother had to stand by helplessly as her son cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
As we women often do, they looked for a way to still serve Him, even in His death, by preparing His body for burial. Sometimes, it's the little things.
When our hearts are breaking and we think we can't take another breath, sometimes we need something in our hands--a burial spice, a casserole, a text that says I'm here.
We can't make the hurt go away, but we can channel it into something useful, something hopeful, something comforting.
As they rested on the Sabbath, I'm sure they anticipated the opportunity to see Him one more time, to minister to Him once more with the spices and perfumes they had prepared.
Hearts crushed, hands open.
Grieved but grateful. Resting but ready.
Because if there was anything they knew for sure, it's that Jesus was no ordinary man. And when hearts are turned toward Him, anything can happen.

God never called us to “blind” faith. We may b
God never called us to “blind” faith. We may believe without seeing, but faith is being sure and certain of what we don’t see, not what we don’t know. ⁠
The Israelites had historical facts on which to base their faith. That’s why God constantly told them to remember what He had done and tell it to their children. Their faith was in what they knew to be true, even though they didn’t always see it with their own eyes. ⁠
We, too, have facts on which to base our faith. The Bible is historically accurate and verified. If ever we needed to know what we believe, it’s now.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like mo
It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like most women, when I do get still, my mind is still going 90 mph. I’m so distracted by all the preparations for the day. Sounds a little like Martha, who, by the way, is the one who invited Jesus over in the first place. But like Martha, I have felt the Lord’s gentle rebuke. He wants me at His feet. And really, that’s where I want to be. It’s not about time and focus. It’s about heart and desire. The rest will come. ❤️ #growingyourfaith #jesusfirst #wordbeforeworld #seekhimfirst #javawithjesus #womenintheword

Do you really want to grow your faith? What we fee
Do you really want to grow your faith? What we feed the most is what grows the most. 🍽️⁠
⁠
What are you feeding?⁠
⁠
Click the link in my bio to read this week's post.⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus ⁠

Learning so much at the She Writes for Him virtual
Learning so much at the She Writes for Him virtual writers’ conference and getting inspired to help more women grow their faith! #shewritesforhim2021


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