You know those times when someone does something that is so against what you believe or the way you think?
A switch goes off in your mind and you think “they did NOT just say that.” You begin preparing your retort because now you’re angry- how dare that person say that thing. You are going to let them have it. And then, you know what I’ve learned to do?
Nothing.
My pride isn’t worth someone’s salvation.
A huge part of traveling is experiencing different cultures. There are different greetings to use, new foods to try, customs to learn, and a bunch of other nuances involved in immersing yourself in a new culture for a month.
One thing that varies greatly from culture to culture is the role of women.
I grew up with a mother who worked as an optometrist and a father who always told me that other people might be better at something than me, smarter, or stronger, but no one could ever tell me I couldn’t do something because I’m a woman. That is the culture in which I was raised.
Now, in case you don’t know, that is not how things work in a lot of places but, when I came on this journey, I said yes to giving up a lot of things. This included the rights, freedoms, and roles I have become accustomed to as a young woman in the US. The truth is, people in other countries view things differently. And, as hard as it can be to understand at times, they aren’t wrong- they are just different.
I’ve learned to see beauty in that difference. I’ve learned to let men show us respect in the ways that their culture deems appropriate. If that means carrying every last piece of my luggage, then I will let them. I had to fight hard to let go of my selfish desire to prove myself because what does that accomplish? I KNOW I am strong enough to carry my own bags and so does God, why does it matter if I carry them alone or if someone helps me? I KNOW that my teammate’s and I can do manual labor but if it reflects poorly on the men in the community for us to do so, why would we put them in that position?
Romans 14:13 tells us to “stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Paul goes on to say, in verse 15, “if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.”
This has been one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned on the race because everything in my being longs to show others that I am capable. But, God already knows that I am capable. God made me to be strong and intelligent- I don’t need to prove anything to Him. My pride and my ego make me want to prove things to other people but that is not what I am called to do.
Romans 14:22 “whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”
God knows my heart, my desires, and my opinions.
I will swallow my pride and do whatever I have to do to share the gospel.
I’m not here to change anyone’s opinions; I’m here to show them Jesus.
