I have always known that culture is a huge part of someone’s identity, but until this month in India I had not experienced the shock of it all. Never have I felt like such an outcast.
I am now in a culture where:
Women don't wear pants, no one is white, everyone stares at me, we eat dinner at 11pm, we never leave on time, I can’t run without my “brother” and translator acting as my bodyguards, women smiling or waving at men is considered flirting, showing my knees at all is offensive and not eating all 4 helpings of food that is put on my plate is offensive. I feel as though my whole being is offensive.
This is the farthest I have felt from home. In no way am I saying that any of these things are wrong, but they are different from anything else I have encountered.
After a couple of days of freaking out, I have found a commonality.
Christ.
Despite the language barrier and all of the cultural differences, if they have Christ in their hearts, we have a bond like none other. The body of Christ transcends all human and cultural understanding. Christ can work through all of the cultural differences that I am experiencing. His spirit can break the cultural barrier.
For all of this I am blessed. I am blessed to be in such a different culture and see the way they live and the way they worship our Lord.
I am at peace.
