It's (almost) A Small World, Afterall

What2Say2Day? In case I haven't mentioned it before I live in Honolulu, Hawaii. This week is a very exciting one as our city and state host 21 leaders from around the world in a conference focusing on world economy (aka APEC). One of the youth I work with asked me yesterday what APEC was about. Understanding he probably didn't know much about world economics I did my best to answer him. "It's a conference between countries from around the Pacific area that will be focusing on how we can better the economic opportunities for everyone." I went on to explain how even though something is thought to be American, that doesn't necessarily mean it was made in America. "Take cars, for instance. A Ford truck is definitely American, but a closer examination of the truck will show that it was assembled in Mexico with parts made in Japan." That seemed to amaze him; and I must admit that on further thought I became amazed. My chosen Christian denomination is The United Church of Christ and our motto is taken from John 17:21; That they may all be one. This thought was what came to me when I began to explain further how countries around the world are connected in ways we never thought possible 50 or 75 or 100 years ago. Even in the last 25 years we have seen a unification of peoples around the world in ways that bring us closer in politics, business and economics. What we need now is to become one people in the areas of kindness, gentleness, acceptance, justice and love. Now that would truly be a small world.