I’ve been listening to a book on CD called “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman. The basic premise is that our world, originally discovered to be round by Columbus, is becoming more and more “flat” every day. Our flat world is allowing our cultures, technology, science and economies to interact with others around the world as easily as they can next door. It’s a fascinating read that explains a lot of the trends towards outsourcing and global markets we’ve been seeing in recent years.

What opportunities does this present to us as Christians? If you remember, Jesus’ last directive to his followers was to carry the life-changing message of the gospel “to the ends of the earth.” Because of the flattening forces at work in our world today we are able to fulfill that commission in ways many never thought possible.

We can now email and video-chat with missionaries and pastors on the other side of the planet as easily as we can sit down with someone in a coffee shop. Church planters can seek advice and council from experienced church leaders through online message boards and forums. Collaborations on best practices and the future of the church take place on a daily basis through countless blogs. If you want to listen to solid biblical teaching it’s as easy as downloading a church’s podcast in iTunes or watching a live video stream of their service on their web site.

The forces that are flattening our world don’t only benefit free market forces and the global economy. They are already having a huge impact on the advancement of God’s kingdom here on the earth. It’s easy to get discouraged by all the crap we see on the news or read in the paper. But I honestly believe that we are a privileged generation. We have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the tools at our disposal to share God’s love with others. We have been placed on this “flat” earth for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).