culture shock
there are two questions that are most frequently asked when one comes back from a mission trip: 1. how was it? 2. how does it feel to be back? since i have been elaborating continuously on the first question, i will focus on the latter.
how does it feel to be back?
i suppose one would feel some sort of shock being thrown back into a whirlwind of task lists and deadlines after being challenged to slow down and give proper attention to my relationship with God. currently, i feel the same peace i had before i left the trip, and somehow, this peace has not been disturbed by the struggles i faced and the injustices that i witnessed. i see the ways in which God has made my heart more firm in His ways and i’ve come back knowing more specifically what i ought to share about the trip.
the truth is, if i wasn’t moved by the brokenness and poverty that i saw in my own neighborhood, i don’t think i could have been moved to go half way across the world to see the same thing. i define brokenness and poverty as the lack of Christ in someone’s life. i don’t feel shocked by what i’ve come back to and how different it is. i don’t feel shocked that the struggle to tackle sin still exists. i have noticed more and more similarities in the kind of brokenness and poverty we encounter, not what we consider a lack of physical means. people are without Christ here and there. satan is winning the battle here and there. though the war manifests in different forms, it all boils down to the simple choice of choosing who to follow and how that is reflected in your life. it certainly is harder than it sounds, but i will use my own life to prove that there is freedom in Christ and that same freedom is also yours for the taking.
God has sharpened my faith through many trials and tribulations this past year. i’m happy to be back because i’ve returned with purpose. i am realizing that i have less tolerance for a mediocre spiritual life and i expect no less from my fellow believers. as He commands us to love others the way we ought to love ourselves, i want to sharpen those around me. with a heart of grace, we can break down the church culture of “one foot in and one foot out” and really live without compromise for Christ.
as i was thinking about how to sustain the momentum of this journey upon my return, Pastor Ray struck me with a powerful message about maintaining the vision of Christ in my life. I honestly have difficulty understanding the depth of who Christ is. sometimes i stop and ask myself, “who is it that i am serving? seriously, who have i surrendered to?” this sermon left me humbled and in repentance- i have the slightest glimpse of who He is, yet it was enough for me to devote my life to Him. He’s that great. i’m excited to fall deeper for the one that gave me His all. that’s perfect love and it’s all mine.
i’m going to live radically. i’m going to live in rebellion to what the culture expects of me and i won’t comply with anything but the gospel.
who’s with me?
