The Same But Different
Living in another country for an extended period of time is an interesting experience. I’ve lived here long enough now that I feel accustomed to the surroundings. I can walk down the street, see nothing but a sea of Asian people, and not feel too out of place. That is, until they start to stare and begin whispering to each other about the foreigner. Sometimes they even do a type of cat call. It’s definitely rude, and maybe a little disturbing. Even though I feel more comfortable here than I did last year, even to the extent of calling it a second home, I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever fit in. If I’ll ever get to the point where I feel like one of them.
There’s no doubt that we’re different. Our culture, our beliefs, our clothes, even the tone of voice we speak in; all different. At times I’m apathetic to it. Other times I feel annoyed by it. It’s hard not to be when you’re eating in a restaurant and the guy at the table next to you is making a pool of phlegm on the floor. To fit in with the people here seems to be a daunting task. To reach them with Good News; even harder. But I was reminded the other day of the concept of becoming all things to all men so that they might be saved.
Paul is the one who first said that. He was a man who, being completely consumed by a desire for all to know Christ, was willing to lose himself for the sake of others. He surrendered himself to the Gospel and gave his life for what he believed. Even before being put to death he decided long before to die to himself, becoming a slave to everyone for the sake of the Gospel. So that some might be saved. That’s how much it meant to him. That was the love he had for his Savior.
So now the question that we all face is, are we willing to lose ourselves? Can we die to ourselves, to what we want, to what we’ve dreamt for our lives, all to win as many as possible? Just like living in a foreign country, thinking this way is an adjustment. You have to adapt to it. But it all starts with a willing and surrendered heart. The rest is up to Him. And it’s not for nothing. Our sacrifice is not in vain. But it takes looking into eternity. Our reward is nothing from this world but an everlasting crown. So we know we don’t give aimlessly but for a purpose greater than what we now know.