Most of us think of community as the group we hang with at school, at church, or in the city or town where we live.
We may, if we are church goers, consider ourselves part of the community of believers, which is a broader world vision, but still a community in which we do not personally know those we “commune” with. Over the past several months, I have experienced a much broader sense of community as I have ventured into internet ministry.
Just for kicks, I decided to search this term I had come up with, ‘World Collage‘, and to my surprise I found artwork and even puzzles based on this phrase. Photographer Guy Shachar has created a beautiful collage from pieces of photos from Israel, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, India, Austria, France, England, Mexico, United States and Canada.
Since launching One Month of Wisdom, I have connected to a beautiful mosaic of precious people throughout the world.
What was once just a big blue marble, is now, in my mind, a World Collage…a smattering of this and that from across the globe, that is, in every sense of the word, my community. I have chatted online with them, I have prayed with them, and I have even taken a walk down their street in Google® street view maps. Oh how the world has changed!
With this change comes a change in our perspective of who we are.
I am indeed a citizen of Florida, and a citizen of the US, but my World Collage vision has me now thinking of myself as a citizen of the world. Distant nations I have never seen are, indeed, my community. The internet has given us the power to communicate. There is a world wide social revolution going on that is changing not only how business is done (and where), but also how we relate to one another.
The world is getting smaller all the time, and we, as world citizens, have an opportunity to seize the power this affords us. I do not need to rely on the news to tell me what is going on in Pakistan. My Pakistani friends on Skype and facebook tell me about the victims of the recent flood and their needs. I have, at my fingertips, art, music, articles, and video, from people just like me all over the globe. With these new friendships comes the opportunity to better understand and appreciate other cultures and ways of life.
What I proclaimed as truth in a sixth grade art class project back in 1966,
not understanding how profound it was, nor that I would one day look back on it as a defining moment in my life, now is foremost on my mind.
Through our personal relationships in this World Collage, we have the power to bridge the gap between what is true, and what the so called elite of the world would like us to believe is true. We can be instruments of peace that have a far reaching and profound effect on the future of this planet. I pray that we will learn to use this power wisely, and for the benefit of all mankind.
Blessings & Adventure
Please follow and like us:
Another fantastic post Lynn!! It’s so true that we can connect with each other so easily. Perhaps peace can finally be achieved by knowing we are all citizens of the world.
This is such a wonderful post Lynn!!! We can reach out so much more to each other thanks to technology, what a step forward for world peace. Thanks for sharing.
Beautifully written neighbor! I can say that, although I have never had the opportunity to shake your hand or exchange a hug, we have become good friends. We’ve shared ideas, experiences, concerns and lessons… we have built a relationship and share a concern about each other’s well being.
As you have so well said here, with todays technology it is so easy to reach out and connect with others around the world; learn about who they are; understand the challenges they meet and the blessings they offer..
As we build these relationships and strengthen our communitiy ties around the world, we’ll start to understand that the actions we make locally do have an impact on our community members on the other side of the globe! With that understanding, perhaps we’d make different decisions.
Excellent post and I totally agree – it amazes me now so many people can come together here on the net – I am loving this new found community – thanks
Nancy
Skype: nancyradlinger
You for sure have much agreeable opinions and orientations. Your blog add a warm look at the substance.
Marvelous submit! Will you followup on this particular matter?
Not specifically, but the subject of community will no doubt be coming up again.