There are something like 193 countries in the World. It is
likely that each of those countries is divided into subsections similar to
states or territories. Depending on the size of said states/territories, even
they might be divided into smaller sections. The assumption is that within in
each country, section, and subsection there are people. Perhaps this is a
modern day picture of what the word “tribe” represents.
So, as you traverse the globe traveling from country to
country, state to state or city to city, how do you determine how to interact
with the people of that tribe?
I’m not sure I’ve come to a conclusion outside of “Ask God”.
Now the secret here is that even if you never leave your
hometown or tribe, you are not exempt from the ever-changing culture around
you. Perhaps you will never leave, but I am quite confident “outsiders” will
come to your tribe eventually.
say, and how and when to say it, when I returned to Michigan for a wedding. I
was only home for 4 days, but that certainly was enough time for the Lord to
remind me that I am STILL in desperate need of him, even in “the land of milk
and honey” (as we seem to view the US).
I met a lot of new folks while home and had many an
interesting conversation with people from walks of life much different than
mine. It really was a new cultural experience for me to explain my lifestyle
and hear about others. I like it. This is priming me for my return to living in
the US this winter.
I have been to 19 countries since October 2008, and I can
assure you that part of my experience in each one, United States included, is
the same. It’s the part where I have NO idea how to best communicate with and
love on the people, until I ask God.
