Acceptance, respect, knowledge, love, share. God expects us to learn about other cultures and faiths, to become familiar w
ith them, to show respect and to share respectfully the aspects of our culture. Once we become knowledgeable about other cultures, we can understand why they live by those beliefs, and from there, spread love, hope, and new tactics to those cultures. In Don Richardson's, The Peace Child, Don and his wife, Carol, had to become aware of the Sawi culture. They gradually placed themselves on the level of the unique, Sawi culture in order to gain acceptance from them. Don and Carol's ultimate goal was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the Sawi people, but in order to do that, they first had to find ways to gain respect and understanding. After all, they were like "aliens" to the Sawi's. One way of learning about a culture is becoming familiar with the language. When I look at The Peace Child, I can clearly see that language was an immense step in learning the culture. Don and Carol, were required to figure out an unknown language, and create a dictionary, grammar rules by themselves. Wow! That requires much patience and time on both the Sawi and their parts.When observing Don and Carol, I see bravery and utter determination to seek God's will. I value their commitment, courage, and understanding towards facing the unknown...Sawi and other cultures and the different faiths found within them. They are a wonderful exemplar of pursuing what God wants us to pursue when we face other cultures and faiths. I hope that while I use my life to serve God, I can successfully achieve having commitment, courage, and understanding towards others...not only in culture differences, but in differences between people, careers, and activities...with life. Since I have chosen to live my life wholeheartedly for God, I can strive to seek Him and his glory. To seek the acceptance and understanding, knowledge and love, towards differences in life…to have willingness and embrace those for whom they are, as God would view them.
Ultimately, God expects willingness. Willingness towards other cultures and willingness to work hard and try. Willingness to share with others His precious word. God expects love. Love towards other cultures and love towards serving him. Love towards others, no matter who they are. I don’t believe that God expects us to change the beliefs of those who don’t believe in him, but more so encourages us to expose others and then embrace them, despite what happens…He has the power to handle the minute details.
4 comments:
Brittney, I see that you have read ahead :)
I definitely agree that language, and taking the time to learn the language, has a major impact on the people who missionaries are going to work with. It shows a commitment level that goes beyond just trying to evangelize. It is joining in a communion with the people.
I think understanding a culture before reaching out to them is crucial. Like Don Richardson's approach, I think it is important that we, as servants of christ, come out a culture naked-meaning sincere and understandable. Understanding a culture would be an advantage to communication and friendship.
I agree that God has called us to love others because he loved us. His unconditional love should be the reason why we want to reach out to others. I don’t know if I could have loved the Sawi so I respect Don Richardson and his wife for having such commitment. They did exactly what Jesus had commanded his disciples to do in the Great Commission.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20.)
I agree with you about what God wants us to do for other cultures and faiths. Learning their languages, having the willingness and courage to 'help' them, not force them to change.. Like you said, if we truly are willing to help them and save them to believe in God, if and only if we have that truthful and brave heart to stand up for them, God will see the efforts and the mindset we have for them and use His almighty power and strength to change their hearts and their beliefs.
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