There’s a lot that comes with getting used to a new culture. Learning new languages and behaviors is enough to keep you busy for a solid amount of time. Unfortunately that’s not a luxury we have. With only 2 months in each country you have to learn fast.
One of my favourite customs practiced here is a change of priorities. Back home, everything we do is based on time. Logic runs our world and the clock on the wall dictates every action we take. Being late isn’t an option and keeping time is mandatory. Time is money you see.
But what about in a place where there is no money? Does losing money mean anything if you have none?
Time is a vague concept here. Because relationship takes priority. It’s a perfectly valid excuse to be late to just about anything if it’s that you just got caught up talking. I’m living in a culture where people take priority over money. Time is relative and productivity is measured by how you invest in others.
Despite how frustrating it first was when it felt like nothing ever got done, I like this life a lot better. I think this is the way Jesus would have lived too. He would have stopped for people no matter the time, money or any other excuse. He lived for relationship and loving others, not making a name for himself.
In school we’re taught that you’ll never get anywhere in this world if you’re late all the time. But by this standard I believe Jesus must have been the most unsuccessful person to ever walk the earth. Because he didn’t care if things got done or money got made, he cared for each person he met and gave them the time they deserved. I hope I can be this unsuccessful one day. Time was man made but people were God made. I’d much rather spend my time on the God made. No matter how unproductive you percieve me to be.
