Something that you take with you when you travel that you can’t control is your cultural identity. This is what drives our actions and thought process, the reason we have the values we hold, and where the reasoning inside our head comes from. It is also something we encounter with others that cannot be explained. We question others reasonings and ideologies but don’t bother to look deeper into why that is, what their culture instills in them. Identity is “a product of communicative behaviors in their entirety, arising from daily social interactions” (Samovar, 104). When people’s daily social interactions, either growing up or currently, are different than yours you are going to encounter some discourse whether it be drastic differences or simple differences.
These differences in cultural identities are something that my team and I will not only encounter being on the race but also within our team. So far we have many different people from different cultures and cultural mixes that it makes my heart swell with excitement. I can’t wait to recant stories with them, learn about their culture, see their communication styles, and so much more. With a difference of cultural identities comes a lot and it is one of the intimidating factors for people when meeting people from different cultures. We often times associate differences with conflict. But in regards to our team there is a single reason that our cultural identities will only be a small factor while on the race. The reason being that our main and most important identity is within Christ. We all have this common love, desire, and passion for our Savior that rules over any and all cultural differences and identities. In Galatians it states that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). This identity is more than what shape our beliefs, thought processes, etc. it is what molds and shapes our hearts. We all move to the same rhythm and tune that’s played by our Lord and sung in the Bible. This is an identity that reaches beyond what we see, think, or feel and turns us into one solid, foundational, working body of Christ.
Not only will our identity in Christ help us reach beyond cultural identities within our group but this amazing Power will reach beyond all borders of all 11 countries we will be visiting.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
On this journey, myself and my team, will become whatever is needed of us. We will become educators in the school systems, we will become loving and caring hands that nurture, we will become a teammate in a game of soccer, we will become singers of truth when spirits are down, we will become storytellers for children who need encouragement, we will become construction builders and house cleaners, and so much more. God has equipped us with the ability to push through cultural identities and become what each person and/or culture needs. Our actions may be subtle but are back by strong truth. Our goal as racers is to be a light to those of a different culture. God has given us the capabilities to make the gap of cultures disappear to further His Kingdom. We are not going in and changing cultural identities, we wont be forcing things on people, but we will be what they need, whenever they need it. We are traveling servants who serve God and the people He created, so that, the people He loves so dearly will feel His love and can be saved. The 11 months that are to come are months of serving, of giving up our lives as offerings to give others true life. There is one thing that is identifiable and communicated across all borders, and that is love, and communicating the greatest Love of all time is our purpose. Much like Jesus washing His disciples feet, we too must go and wash the feet of the world.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” -Romans 12:1
