Why Should We Care?

If you’re anything like me, you like to play the devil’s advocate and ask, “Why?” Perhaps you have read the premise for the Black Blessings website, and you wonder why all of this is necessary. You understand, in premise, that the Church is called to participate in the Great Commission, but you are also all too aware of the needs that affect the Black communities in America. “Why go overseas,” you posit, “when we have needs in our own community? Besides, doesn’t Acts 1:8 tell us that we need to deal with Jerusalem first?” These are fair questions, to be sure. However, the thinking behind them is a bit shortsighted in relation to God’s global purposes. They don’t take into consideration the story that has been unfolding since the Book of Genesis. Here are a few thoughts that come to mind as to why we should care about cross-cultural missions:

1. God made a promise to Abram that all nations would be blessed through Abram. The word “through” refers to Abram himself, but it also includes his descendants. It would be completely reasonable to assume “descendants” refers to blood relatives extending from generation to generation. However, in Galatians 3: 7 & 29 the Apostle Paul lets us know that those who belong to Christ through faith are Abraham’s descendants. Many of us Gentile believers read these verses and focus on the blessings associated with this kinship, but we tend to overlook the responsibility. ALL followers of Christ are indeed blessed; but, they are also called to be, expected to be, a blessing TO THE NATIONS. Why should we care? Because we share the same calling as our father Abraham.
2. Jesus is who the Bible says he is. He is the savior of the world. Apart from him, there is no salvation. What does it say about us if we believe this, but we don’t make the necessary effort and sacrifices to share this good news with people here, there, and everywhere? Yes, there are needs in our own community, but that should not restrict us in terms of the scope of our ministry. So, why should we care? Because as the angel said to the shepherds in Luke 2:10, the good news of the savior is for “all the people” and not just the people in your ‘hood.
3. Acts 1:8, correctly translated, doesn’t tell us to finish with “Jerusalem” first and then go to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The verse tells us we should go to Jerusalem AND Judea AND Samaria AND the ends of the earth. (emphasis mine) One of the best illustrations I’ve heard related to this is the example of Coca-Cola. Imagine if the beverage company decided to stay in Atlanta until every single resident in that city became a fan of the carbonated beverage. Do you think Coca-Cola would be in arm’s reach of every person on the planet if the Coca-Cola execs had a “Jerusalem-only” mentality? Of course not! So, if a soft drink company gets it, in terms of accomplishing its global mission, how much more should the Body of Christ understand and work toward its own global mission? Why should we care? Because the Bible gives us a clear illustration about the centrifugal nature of our work in terms of geography and culture.
4. Finally, we should care because the God of the universe is worthy to receive the worship of every nation and tribe and people and tongue. (Rev. 4:11, 7:9) He is altogether lovely and awesome and powerful and magnificent and glorious. His nature and character are good and just and loving and holy and so much more. This worthy God longs for the passionate worship of people from everywhere. And, as these myriads of people draw near to the Lord, they will also draw near to His heart and experience true life. Why should we care? Because the work we do brings joy to our LORD.

In light of these four points, we as Black Americans should be honored and thrilled to be a part of God’s global mission. Yes, we must address needs at home; but we must simultaneously care about praying for, giving toward, sending to, and going to the ends of the earth.