In the same way, God has entrusted us with a world vision. It is not enough to build a mega church that reaches our city. It is not enough if our church is bigger than the guy down the road. Our vision must reach at least as far as Coke's! Every church and every disciple must have a world vision.
Every Person in the World
Mr. Woodruff's vision for Coke grew in time to include, not just every place in the world, but every person in the world. Growth is the nature of vision. If our vision can be accomplished in a few years, then it is too small. We need to get a bigger dream. I don't know if Coke is actually available to every person on the planet yet, but they must be close. What a tragedy it would be if every person gets a taste of Coke before they get a taste of the Bread of Life. Yes, we have a vision to reach every nation, but it cannot stop there. We must also have a vision to reach every person.
No Matter What the Cost
Woodruff realized there was a cost involved in taking Coke to every man in uniform anywhere in the world, and he was not intimidated by that cost. He was determined that all American soldiers would have a drink of Coke, if they wanted one. He was willing to swallow the cost as long as those men in uniform could swallow a Coke.
Every time Jesus spelled out the vision and destiny He had for His disciples, He added that there was a cost. They would be required to carry a cross, to deny self, to forsake all, to follow Him. Make no mistake about it, there is a cost in having a world vision. The bigger the vision, the bigger the bill. We must be at least as dedicated to our vision as the president of Coke was to his.
Why must we be willing to pay the price to pursue a world vision that includes not only every nation, but every person? The Apostle John answers that question in Revelation 4:9 when he gives us a peek into a worship service in Heaven.
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
Because Jesus died for the whole world, we can never be content just being a local church doing local ministry. We must pay the price to reach every person in every nation in our generation.
