Our world today is as globally connected as it ever has been, and yet nothing brings us all together quite like the World Cup.

In 2014, 3.2 billion fans watched some part of the tournament while one billion viewers tuned in for the final match between Germany and Argentina.

This year, it’s predicted that all-time viewing records will be broken. GlobalWebIndex forecasts a 3.4 billion total viewership for the entire tournament, or nearly half the total world population of 7.6 billion.

The World Cup is a spectacle because it brings nations together. During the last two World Cups, I wasn’t in the United States but in China and Senegal. Even though neither country participated (Senegal qualified this year), you would have thought they did.

The Senegalese were giddy about cheering for Africa’s representatives, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, to name a few.

I was impressed and surprised to learn about the extensive knowledge that Chinese girls had of legendary German striker Miroslav Klose. Each TV, tablet, and cell phone in coffee huts, noodle shops, and subway stations were tuned into the games.

As Russia hosts this year’s World Cup, they have the tremendous responsibility of accommodating teams from 32 countries and cultures and making sure they are each properly represented.

Can you imagine the logistics involved in bringing so many different groups of people together? I have enough trouble hosting a small dinner party with people who don’t know each other very well.

What Russia will do for the next four weeks, God will do for eternity one day. The Christian hope is that one day people from every nation will unify together under the unity of Jesus.

Revelation 7:9 says, “After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”

All people of all cultures have an open door into Heaven through Jesus Christ. Every culture is to be celebrated with their own distinctions and we are meant to embrace each other as we are ultimately unified in Christ.

During this World Cup, we will see many of the differences between countries. Perhaps the way players celebrate a goal or how their fans and coaches react.

These can be reminders to us that despite the diverse cultures, each team is connected by playing in the same World Cup…and coming together for one purpose.

Likewise, regardless of cultural backgrounds or the unique ways we worship God around the world, we are connected to the same God.

Once when I was visiting Thailand, there was a phrase I learned that has stuck with me: “Same-same, but different.” There is sameness in humanity and yet there are differences as well.

As we watch the World Cup and witness the unique cultures all in one place, let’s get excited for how this will similarly be reflected one day in Heaven for those who receive Him.

I’m Matt Schneider and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you that You love all cultures and I pray I would embrace the uniqueness found in the sameness of humanity. Help me capture the vision of unity in Heaven and embrace how those in Christ are connected already. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.