Seeing Beyond Our Own Borders

Ephesians 6:18b, ESV

…keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

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1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Resist him [the devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

As the people of God, we have to be intentional to see beyond our own borders. 

As first world Christians, it’s so easy to allow our focus to become very narrow—on our own lives, community, state, and nation. And rightly so. We should be focused on these things. We’re called to be focused on these things. 

But, we’re simultaneously called to be focused broadly as well.

This is a both/and, not an either/or. 

We have to see what’s right around us and see what’s far beyond us. While we carry our own burden in our hearts and in our prayers—and those of our neighbors and our countrymen—we must also carry the burden of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. 

We must stay informed, we must pray, we must give, and we must go.

When we open our eyes to see beyond our own borders, it will not only impact the global body of Christ—it will impact us. No one who stays informed, prays, gives, and/or goes will remain unchanged. When we broaden our vision, we enlarge the place of our tent, stretch our tent curtains wide, and lengthen our cords (Isaiah 54:2).

When we broaden our vision, we broaden the very depths of our soul.