The second most important book on your shelf. What would that be? When it comes to living a consistent Christian life, a world atlas might just be the second most important book on your shelf. Right next to your Bible, of course. Did my suggestion surprise you? Give me a moment to explain.
You see, there's a problem with our evangelical worldview. For many of us, there's very little “world” in it. While on paper, we agree to the urgency of what we call the “Great Commission,” most of us suffer from a great omission. We simply do not know—or much care—about the rest of the world.
I have had repeated conversations with otherwise intelligent believers who assume Africa is one big country. There is no concept of the fact that Africa contains 54 independent nations. No grasp on the fact that Africa is so massive, that inside its borders, you could easily fit the United States, China, all of Europe…with plenty of room to spare.
Yet having traveled to more than 30 countries, I myself still struggle with a myopic view of the world.
“So what?” you say. Why the big harangue?
The big deal is if we hardly even know where people live, we'll hardly even care about them. Out of sight…out of mind.
But it was Jesus Himself who told us “Go into ALL the world and preach the gospel.” Jesus went out of His way to remind us to go out of OUR way and care about “the uttermost parts of the world.”
In a day of Google Maps and Google Earth and GPS screens, there is no reason—and certainly no excuse–for being a geographically ignorant American.
Though Christ's concern is primarily about people, we cannot—and must not—ignore their place, whether Judea, Samaria, or the uttermost parts of the earth. Their place, after all, is inextricably linked to their plight. And the plight of people—wherever they live—is always at the heart of Christ.