Traveling around the world over the past 30 years, I have been fascinated by the different perspectives time and culture provide. I grew up learning about American Missionaries to Africa only to learn that there were, in the not so distant past, more African Missionaries to America than American Missionaries in Africa. I watched percentage attendance at churches in Europe, including countries with national religions, decline into single digits. Some once amazing English churches barely had enough members to keep the lights on and roof patched, while other Mega-churches sprung up planting other new congregations, online services and outreach programs. I watched church attendance in US and traditional Christian countries slow down while new areas and countries started booming.

It is written that we do not know where the Spirit blows. China’s government runs cold, thaws a bit and runs cold again but the Spirit continues to move. One thing I have not seen, at any time or any place is the absence of the Spirit. In the most oppressed areas sometimes the Spirit seems to burn the brightest while in “free” places, the Spirit moves even when seemingly taken for granted.

Countries, cultures, traditions, denominations form a rich heritage, a patch work of colors and fabrics which make up our Lord’s banner throughout the world. What can we learn from other traditions, cultures and practices? How can different perspectives reveal aspects of our triune God to us in our day to day lives and practices? Let’s put ourselves in places where we can catch the Spirit blowing!

Read John 3: 1-8, and remember: God loves you, UNCONDITIONALLY!

Mike