This little passage gives us a big picture — not just of human migration, but of God’s salvation plan for the nations.

1. God Created Every Nation

“From one man he made all the nations…” v 26

London has become one of the most ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse cities in the world:

Approximately 40% of London’s population were born outside of the UK. Over 300 languages are spoken across the city. There are over 1 million Muslims, nearly half a million Hindus, and hundreds of thousands of Sikhs.

At times like the World Cup, you get a glimpse of that diversity in a particular way — the colours, the food, the celebrations. But behind every flag is a person made in the image of God.

Fatima and I have many religious and cultural differences, but we both have an inherent value and dignity that comes from our Creator — the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

And although I know that, I am so aware of my tendency to view the communities and people who are not like me as “other”, creating divides that lead to “us” and “them”, resulting in exclusion, discrimination, and marginalisation. I find it far easier to offer friendship, hospitality, and to share the good news of Jesus with people like me, rather than with people who are not like me — and maybe you feel that too...

But imagine the difference we could make if, in this wonderfully diverse city, we chose instead to reach out across cultural and religious barriers. One in two Londoners don’t have a Christian friend or any real opportunity to hear the gospel. What a privilege it is for us to build friendships, open our homes, and share the hope we have — so that everyone, made in God’s image, might have the chance to know the One who made them and loves them. God created every nation, and secondly…

2. God Determines Where We Live

“...and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” V26

This is extraordinary. Where we are born, where we move, even when we live — none of that is by chance. It is all part of God’s Divine Design.

Fatima didn’t just happen to end up in London. And I didn’t just happen to be her neighbour. God orchestrated our meeting.

And just as fans from across the globe gather (or stay connected) during a World Cup, God has been at work over generations, moving people across borders — not randomly, but purposefully. He is placing people exactly where they need to be, so that they might have the opportunity to hear the gospel — maybe for the very first time.

The result of this is that London is now home to people from some of the most unreached and religiously persecuted nations in the world.

God, in His sovereignty, has given us an incredible opportunity to share the good news with people from some of the hardest to reach places in the world.

And wonderfully, there are increasing numbers of Christians in London who have migrated from another part of the world. Again, this is no accident. It is all part of God’s redemption plan.

Right here — God is gathering a global church to reach a global city with the gospel.

The God who makes and moves is, thirdly...

3. God Wants to Be Found

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him…” v27

So, why are people on the move?

Often people choose to move to be closer to family, to study, or for job opportunities. And tragically, sometimes people move due to unimaginable hardship, being forced to leave their homes due to war, poverty, or natural disasters.

Whilst there are often many human factors and motivations that impact migration, ultimately God is working through these, moving people so that they might encounter Him. He is not distant. He wants to be found.

That’s what happened in Fatima’s front room. Over cups of tea and open Bibles, she began to meet Jesus. The same is happening all across the city, whether that’s North Koreans in New Malden or Sylheti Muslims in Tower Hamlets.

Whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh, there will come a day when we will all meet our Maker. And we know it is only through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, the forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life, that we will be saved. No one’s traditions, culture, or religious practices will save them.

God has made the nations, God has moved them to London, and God wants to use us to share this good news.

It is not merely a political issue or a humanitarian crisis. It is, at its heart, a divine opportunity. God is sovereign over the movement of people. He orchestrates the times and places where people live so that they might seek Him — and find Him.

A recent report by Theos, From Strangers to Neighbours, captures this beautifully through the testimony of a church leader:

“They come into the Christian life of love, acceptance, generosity, kindness, and it’s such a sharp contrast [with what they knew before] that it blows their mind, really. And that’s what pulls them and keeps them here.”

This is the gospel in action. Refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have fled trauma, persecution, and instability, are encountering the love of Christ through His people. Not through slick programmes or polished presentations, but through the warmth of welcome, the dignity of friendship, and the power of presence.

Migration brings the nations to our doorstep. What if we saw this not as a challenge to be managed, but as a mission field to be embraced?

Let us be the kind of church that welcomes the stranger, not just into our buildings, but into our lives. Because in doing so, we may just find that God is doing something far greater than we imagined — not only in their lives, but in ours.

God has placed you where you are

What I’ve been reflecting on recently is that Fatima wasn’t the only one placed by God. God also placed me into her life…

None of us are where we are by accident.

And perhaps moments like the World Cup simply help us notice what has always been true: the nations are here. Not temporarily, not accidentally — but purposefully.

So let’s not miss the moment.

Because while the World Cup will come and go, the opportunity before us remains.

The cheers will fade. The flags will come down. The final whistle will blow.

But the people God has placed around us — our neighbours, colleagues, and friends from every nation — will still be here.

And what a privilege it is that, in his kindness, God has placed us among them, and us among them — so that they might seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.