Poet Muriel Rukeyser suggests that “the universe is made of stories, not atoms.” Rukeyser’s observation reminds us that while we can advance our understanding of the discrete aspects of our lives (especially in the physical realm) through the analysis and identification of atomic and molecular structures, meaning is found in the stories that surround those physical particulars.

Ursula and I had the privilege recently to lead a learning tour to Mongolia and China. We were intrigued, inspired and encouraged as we heard stories from our workers and partners that told of transformed lives and healing and hope that came into the lives of prostitutes, prisoners, drug addicts and alcoholics, among others. In the past, these stories were told in Sunday evening evangelistic meetings when mission workers who were on North American assignment traveled to churches and shared stories accompanied by slide shows. How wonderful that we don’t have to wait until the next mission workers can come by our church when they’re back in North America! Instead, from our desks, or other preferred place, we can connect to these stories.

It is so easy to become trapped within the horizon of our own stories—those of our family, our culture and our country. When that happens, our view of the world becomes truncated, even tribal. Our lives become fragmented and we lose sight of our connectedness to the rest of the world. If the only stories we pay attention to are our own, we shrivel our own identities and those of our neighbors all around the world. They, and sometimes even we, become objects (the poor, consumers, workers, even victims) rather than flesh-and-blood persons who have unique stories, distinct hopes, and singular dreams. This fosters alienation that may even lead to war and destruction.

When, however, we pay attention to these stories that come to us from beyond our immediate context, we are able to weave all the fragments of our lives into a meaningful whole that reinforces our connection to God’s children everywhere and introduces purpose into our interactions.

I am convinced that if we are to become responsible global Christians, we must become curious, concerned, engaged—we must pay attention to the stories from other contexts. We must actively observe, listen, read and reflect on the experiences of others who are “with us on the road.” This commitment is a call to value sensitivity, learning and connection more than obliviousness, denial and alienation. The stories (and the reflections on those accounts) in the blogs help us to see and experience people around the world whom God loves and cares about, and whom our workers are privileged to walk with and serve. Often these stories enrich our understanding of the global church and the context in which others seek to follow Jesus. As I read these stories, I find myself either inspired by stories of faithfulness (of the workers or of the people with whom they serve), or I find myself grappling with prophetic challenges that I am confronted with as I experience the courageous, sacrificial and resolute witness of sisters and brothers who face incredible hardships and even threats to their life and security.

The world is filled with stories. Many are trivial, trite and banal. Some, like those in this Beyond Ourselves, help us to live into God’s vision and equip us to better play our part in God’s purposes responsibly and well. I encourage you to read these stories with sensitivity and care, to access the blogs of our workers that give us a window into a larger world, and I pray that what you discover there will inspire and equip you for your part in the larger story of God’s purposes for our world.