For a few months now I have been wrestling with how to best write this blog. How to get my heart across to those reading. To make sure that I have the best examples and words possible to speak to your heart. So I’m just going to jump in raw and honest. Throughout this journey from day one you are told that you will experience culture shock. Culture shock is defined as the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way or life or set of attitudes. That is because there is so much more to the rest of the world and no amount of national geographic shows or articles can prepare you for what you experience.
There are certain things that are comical to get used to, like everywhere in Asia there are signs in the bathroom stalls that tell you not to stand on the toilet seats to use them. This is because most toilets are what they call squatty potties, a porcelain hole in the floor. You also cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet, talk about a major adjustment! There are other things that are heart breaking because in America we either don’t have or see these things or we are simply better at hiding it. Seeing two young boys in a card board box by the river, knowing that is where they live and one of them using a piece of styrofoam and a rubber band for a shoe. Watching men and women being ridiculed by those walking by while working the windows in the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Walking through almost any country witnessing people begging or trying to sell anything they can on the sidewalks.
You see these things, which are normal for the locals in each country, but are glaring to us. Hence the culture shock. It also opens your eyes to the amount of privilege you have. Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available to a particular person or group. Being an American you have so many rights that honestly I didn’t know I was even aware of because they are just granted to me. I did not have to do anything to reap the benefits of citizenship. When we were in Malaysia we had the opportunity to hang out with some amazing teenage boys. Who were refugees from multiple different cultures. It broke my heart to hear kids, who are 15-18 asking me, because I am an American how they can get citizenship. More than that hearing their hearts, because the reason they so desperately want citizenship is to be able to do life, not to receive hand outs but to be able to work hard for their dreams. You see without a piece of paper to legitimize them they cannot go to school, any work they have must be covert for fear of the government and they are separated from their families, not knowing when or if they will see them again. All things that were gifted to us as American’s. People of the world automatically hear that you are an American and associate that with wealth, power and a solution to all of their problems. Do we truly understand the responsibility that comes with this privilege? Y’all people want to come to the States and don’t even know why, they just know it is the place of promise.
As Christians we have a different kind of privilege, accepting Christ gives you access to the greatest power in Heaven and Earth. You are granted citizenship in Heaven simply by embracing the sacrifice willingly made with you in mind. You are given forgiveness and love that knows no end. You have a relationship with the God of the Universe. The same God that spoke the world into existence wants me and what’s more is that He wants you too. Can you imagine how different the world would be if people knew they were loved and wanted? Are we really living as a citizen of Heaven? Do people want to come to the Savior like they desire to come to America? Have we presented the Savior as He deserves? Y’all do we really live knowing that the things of this earth have no power over us? We have eternal freedom and access to Christ, who simply wants us to be so in-tune with Him that we are a vessel for the love that motivated Him to sacrificed for all. Why do we let the enemy diminish Christ, His love and sacrifice in our lives? I mean Christ wins there’s no doubt about that. This is not just a call to those reading but for myself as well, be proud of your citizenship. Be loud and proclaim that you are loved and so is everyone you meet. Live so others are so drawn to Christ they don’t even know why. It’s not impossible but it does take being purposeful with Christ. Y’all, YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN!! Stand up and live like it.
