Culture Shock

Cultures are different. Crossing states, crossing borders, or crossing oceans… you’re always going to witness the locals doing something that is slightly — or majorly — different from what you’re used to. India is no different. Whether it’s when they pick their nose mid-conversation, eat with their hands, drive on the left side of the road, or bobble their heads, it’s different. Not bad, just different.

It’s the culture, so it’s okay. They are unapologetically living as authentically Indian as they can, because… well, they’re Indian. They’ve created the culture and they abide by its unspoken and spoken rules. So my job as a Christian coming to this country is to serve them by not offending their culture or trying to implement my own rules because I think they’re better. I will wear kurtasz, cover my ankles, eat with my right hand (never left), and try my best to master the head bobble. As for the nose picking thing, I don’t believe it’s absolutely necessary in order to adapt to their culture in the form of respect. It’s just that if I ever needed to, it would be chill. 

Despite the radical differences from American culture, I have yet to experience the whole culture shock thing. Maybe it’s a honeymoon phase, but I quite enjoy learning the ins and outs of culture. The drastic differences are fun to observe and they keep me on my toes — my very dirty toes, because we rarely wear shoes. 

The last year of my life has been focusing on creating culture as well, so this is especially fascinating. I really began implementing the idea of “creating culture” rather than conforming to the already created patterns of it when I realized that it wasn’t just a dramatic sermon preached. It is Kingdom culture. We have the opportunity to bring Jesus wherever we go, and when He walks into a room, everything changes. Think about it. The thermometer vs. thermostat argument… just add Jesus. That’s what I want. I want to give people culture shock (the refreshing kind) because they receive a glimpse of the Kingdom when I speak. With that being said, I want to honor God with my words and with my body and with everything that I do. Eventually, people will catch on and want to honor that culture. It’s contagious.

Paul wrote in the beginning of Romans 9 that he only wished he could be accursed eternally in an effort that people might be saved. He was willing to spend eternity in Hell that people might come to know the love of Jesus. Dang. He was a culture creator. He was  transformed by the love of Jesus and he carried that with him constantly. I want to do that. 

So, while I try as hard as possible to not word this ignorantly, I want to end with this: I want to go to new cultures, and I want other people to experience culture shock from me. I want to be saturated by the living water and I want other people to want it. I want people to be healed and set free and accept Jesus into their hearts. And if I want it, how much more does the Father desire that? I want to create a culture of humility, love, grace, kindness, and peace that glorifies God everywhere I go. I don’t want to settle for what’s already been established, but I want to be the thermostat that sets the atmosphere on fire for Jesus. And I can’t do it without Him, without His power.