Jesus is all about putting you out of your comfort zone.
I guess it only makes sense, considering that His Kingdom seems to be a Kingdom of opposites and paradoxes: Lose yourself to find yourself. Give away to receive. Last shall be first. Light invades darkness. Humble shall be exalted. Die to yourself to live eternally.
This is no different.
Become inadequate and uncomfortable, and His grace will be sufficient. Become weak, and His strength will be made perfect. Become desperate and thirsty, and He will fill you up.
God is gentle with me, so He gave me fair warning before I came to South Korea (SoKo) that it would be difficult… but worth it, of course. The warning didn’t make me want it any more or less. It just had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what kind of craziness He has in mind for this next movement of my life’s symphony.
A slow lament to mourn my last, very fruitful season, started picking up tempo as I said my last see-you-later and boarded a plane. The timpani is now providing an anticipatory beat as the orchestra sways in sync with fluid momentum. What in the world is next …. ??!
I know lots of people in the U.S. who are quite put off and uncomfortable in the simplicity of a third world lifestyle, whose mindsets are ‘the more technology, the better.’ I can’t say I can relate to that. I’ve often felt more alive and comfortable in those places around the world where it didn’t really matter what you wore or what school you went to, if you even went to one.
So instead of calling me there first, God plopped me in what may seem a counterintuitive zone of discomfort. I didn’t think it could get much more convenient, more expensive, more first worldly than America…
But then I came here. Haha. Welcome to SoKo!
I feel out of place wearing a t-shirt, jorts, and flip-flops to go to the convenience store a block away. Everyone everywhere is always put together, riding on the newest wave of smartphones (many of which are 2/3 the size of my face) and fashion and entertainment. Perhaps the homogeneity is part of the culture shock experience. It’s not that I haven’t seen these things in the States, but America is so diverse that I’ll easily see all of the above neighboring a household of different ethnicity and much lower socioeconomic status.
There’s disparity here, too, for sure. But upon first glance, you can’t see as much of it. It seems there are a few ‘ideals’ that all people aim to reach in terms of success, education, technology, fashion, etc. And for someone who appreciates diversity, simplicity, and frugality, this is a lot to take in!
The enemy will not win them over with enticing worldly success or unattainable and unfulfilling fantasies. Not with perfect performance all wrapped up in shiny exteriors and plastic faces. He will not win me over, either. Slowly but surely, we will see evidence of Jesus’ perfect love tearing the veil covering so much of this culture.
All the while, I return to this song- one that instills courage, hope, and faith:
Put me anywhere, just put Your glory in me
I’ll serve anywhere, just let me see Your beauty, God
<< Lord, give me strength to not shrink back but to boldly press onward to fight the good fight! You are for me- You are for us! You alone can change a person, a nation, Your people. >>
