I am one week away from the end of the World Race. One week away from stepping foot back into America, and all that can be associated with it. Some moments are characterized by denial, others with a bittersweet feeling as I grieve the end of this journey and all that it has been in my life.
One thought has continually pierced my mind the last few days. Missionaries often talk about culture shock, and how that occurs mostly upon reentering one's own country. This idea that we have to leave our culture and see the world to be able to identify what our culture is actually made up of, because only then can we see it from the outside.
And then I thought about all the cultures that I've encountered this year. The endless culture debriefing sheets that I get each month, telling us what to be sensitive of, what to wear, or not wear in most cases, common greetings and customs, etc. In Asia, it was being careful of embarrasing locals, and understanding saving "face" while not touching people's heads or pointing feet at them. In Africa, it was understanding hospitality, the associations of alcohol and smoking in Christian communities. In Europe, it was post-modern "tolerance" and secularism. There are many more identifying elements, but you get the point.
So I realize that in one week, I will have a brunt encounter with American culture. Whatever that is. It's difficult to remember now; I've been away so long.
But just long enough to understand Kingdom culture.
It's the one thing among all societies in this world that stays the same. No matter where I've traveled, I have met beautiful, devout sons and daughters of King Jesus that are hospitable, kind, generous, others minded, passionate, spirit filled, and powerful members of God's kingdom. And they operate in a manner that reflects Christ's character, and brings glory to Him. They are different, in the right way, than their neighbors who are of other religions, or of no religion at all.
I have been blessed to see people around the world who operate more in the character and culture of God than they do of their own nations culture. Sure, some customs and greetings are the same. Some aren't. It only takes one African to introduce himself by saying, "Hello. Bwana asifiwe (praise God). My name is Onesmus, and I'm saved by Jesus," to know that he is living in a different culture.
This leads me to a question:
Why has the original culture that God designed become a "sub" culture to us? Why is it secondary, as we make our secular culture and its characteristics primary?
You see, I've learned that we all operate in a kingdom culture. But that culture depends on who is "king." In Thailand, there is a legitimate king (and he is a good man, as you're supposed to say there), but even in other, democratic(ish) countries, there is still a king.
In America, it is the kingdom of "Me". So guess who the king is?
The character of the king (or principle governing authority, spiritually usually) has the greatest impact on the culture of his/its kingdom. So in America, I see that the kingdom of "Me" is built upon the characteristics what individualism rules. And thus has developed a culture that is often greedy, isolated, and self-focused.
So here I, and 47 other Racers, come back into America. Our primary culture has become God's Kingdom culture. It is marked by His character: grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, justice, hope, the ability to bring life and light to dark places, encouraging, disciplining, peacemaking, LOVE, full joy, goodness, patience, self-control, etc.
This is no longer our subculture. We are members of King Jesus' kingdom first and foremost. American culture is our new subculture.
I know there will be culture shock. I know there will be a readjustment time. But don't think that for one second that it means I will readopt all the cultural characteristics of America that are in dissonance with God's Kingdom culture! However, I do ask for you prayers in discerning what those are, and the courage and strength in God to hold true to His character.
As I frequently do, I will end with a question:
What culture are you operating in? Who or what is the "king" of that culture?
