IN the World, But Not OF the World
We need saints who are IN the world, but not OF the world! I’ve heard Arthur Butt say this time and time again. So true! Recently, Pope Francisco said, “We need saints who are in the world and who can taste things pure and good in the world, but without them being worldly. “And
I remember Ray Ciervo saying to the church in NJ, more than 30 years ago – “It’s hard to be humble, when you think you’re so right.” Humility is a heart condition that God loves – it is part of His purpose and desire for us. Psalm 25: 9 says –
He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
Yet, this is the very thing that we, His people fight against. Part of our sin nature make us want to be right, feel right and be proud when we are right. 1 Peter 5: 5 says –
God opposes the proud but favors the humble.
Foot Washing
Living and serving in Costa Rica is a constant reminder that there are cultural differences between those of us from the United States (Gringos) and those from Costa Rica (Ticos). When you visit Costa Rica, if you’re only a tourist or an ex-pat spending your retirement here, you see the deep and profound beauty of Costa Rica. You enjoy the richness of what can often look and feel like a tropical paradise. If you work here as a missionary, you are often confronted by a different side of the culture – a poorer side. It’s not that these places don’t exist in the United States, because they do. But the poverty here is, in many cases, more extreme.
Historically, missionaries have gone to different countries – all different branches of Christianity have gone to the ends of the earth, in response to a call from God. Sometimes, we bring OUR culture though, instead of HIS culture. It’s often hard to discern, because it’s usually a mix of both. And short-term missionaries come, sacrificing to raise funds to come, surrendering precious vacation time with their families and working hard to raise the funds necessary for them to “go into all the earth to preach the Good News.” They pray and are prayed for. They serve when they arrive and go home with testimonies to encourage the church back home. They are dedicated to one purpose for a week, 10 days, maybe 2 weeks. And God uses them.
There is however, one thing that all missionaries have to remind themselves, all the time – they are just God’s hands and feet, with the privilege of joining Him in work that He is already doing. We are just ordinary, everyday people, we missionaries – serving an extraordinary God! Our words are not greater, our prayers are not somehow more powerful and we are nothing super-human, super-spiritual or special in any way. If we start to feel that we are, then we’ve missed the whole point. That is when the danger comes and we can feel proud. Proverbs 11: 2 says –
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Our cultures are different, but one is not better than the other. Just different. We are part of the same kingdom, because we have the same kingdom. There are no 2nd class citizens in His reign. God does not play favorites. Time to adorn ourselves with humility. Time to remember that God gives good gifts to ALL His children. We may be in a different stage in our journey, but we’re all on the same journey. If you haven’t read this book, we highly recommend it:
Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot – And Cold – Climate Cultures
When you serve on the mission field – be that in your home town, your work place, with your children … or as a missionary, either short-term or long-term, be excited at where God has you and fix your eyes firmly on Him; be more IN the world an not so much OF the world.
How can you tell whether you are being IN the world or OF it? Here’s a simple little test – when the Bible tells you something – do you find reasons that exist in your culture that help you to excuse what He says and go in a different way and explain why you shouldn’t do what His Word says, or do you recognize that His Word is our plumb line and that when we don’t agree, or it’s hard or we want to find another way, WE are the ones that need to change.
In case you’re wondering as you read this – I’m not writing “at” you or “for” you, but “for” all of us, including every missionary I know and me as well. I often sing to myself an old song written by Judi Harwood, for those of you who know her – one line says, “Please don’t let me ever forget, that I am nothing on my own.”
Missionaries come to share God’s love and His words – His Truth. We come to share the things God has invested in us. We
Every Tongue, Every Nation
come to show mercy and grace. But we must be careful not to confuse our culture with the Gospel. When we do that, this is where we get ourselves into trouble. Don’t get me wrong – I love my country. I’m a huge patriot. BUT this is temporary and God’s kingdom is eternal. HIS culture is the only one worth sharing. And one day, we’ll all be worshiping together at the throne of God. Revelation 7: 9 says –
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.
We are members of Christ’s body – and the US members are not more or less. I laugh at myself when some of this diversity comes out in unique and interesting ways. I remember a small group (some of your were there!) where everyone argued over which Bible version was best and why it was the most accurate. Then we arrived in Costa Rica, only to find that the Bible Versions they have often ALL interpret a particular word completely differently. Makes you stop and think! I can use a good concordance and research the original meaning of a word, but I’m no Greek or Hebrew scholar.
Anyway, just some thoughts on culture, diversity, unity in Christ, humility. It’s always good to stop and examine our own hearts. In the world, not of the world, living in humility (including cultural humility). Next January, as Les and I begin VAYA, the Biblical Training Institute with community living in our house, we will have 6 young men from several different Latin American cultures (and NO, they are NOT all the same!). But together, with our diverse cultures, our at time still stumbling Spanish, with the combination of accents and backgrounds, we will grow in God, serving, loving and learning together. The following version of Revelation Song blessed me and gave me a little taste of being before the throne of God with every nation, tribe and people – I know nothing about the church that this comes from, just appreciated the incorporation of the diverse languages and culture.
Please remember to pray for us and the many needs and changes that are coming up, as we embark on this next stage of Missio Dei Costa Rica. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvgIjOv-rA&list=PLqAXagl8SsI8aU_TsN19gs_iMNh1dhsGe[/youtube]