I grew up in a family that passionately values the world.
From an early age my parents made it a priority that I cultivated an
understanding of the world, and I am grateful for opportunities they gave me to
see and experience it. Whether we brought gifts to the homeless shelters at
Christmas, had representatives from every continent sitting around our
Thanksgiving table year to year, or took off as a family to spend the summer in
Vietnam, building unique relationships became part of who we were as a family
and shaped my worldview. There is a greater depth of understanding that takes
place when young people are exposed to these aspects of the kingdom that
extends beyond a cultural experience. Here are the five most significant things
that the world has taught me about my own neighborhood;
1. The significance of the family unit- as a human race, we naturally create families.
Every tribe, every faith background, every culture builds itself around the
dynamic and structure of the family unit. This is an extension of God’s design
of the kingdom and the body of Christ. Nothing is more critical than
identifying the common factors that we have with one another, because these are
the foundations for building relationships and promoting peace among nations
and individuals.
2. Poverty is a mindset more than anything – As I have cultivated relationships with
individuals representing every socioeconomic class, I’ve realized that the
poverty mentality can serve as a crippling stronghold, though every person
living under the poverty line does not exhibit the hindrances that this mindset
nurtures. Some of the most generous people I have ever met have the least
amount of physical resources, but give everything they have with a spirit of
gratitude. They realize that the gifts they have to give may not be costly by
the world’s standards, but have eternal value. Seeing impoverished parts of the
world both locally and abroad has shown me that money has so little to do with
the richness of our lives.
3. True World Changers-
A characteristic that I’ve observed from the influential leaders that I have
come into contact with is that their humility and unassuming nature commands
respect more than any other character trait. The sign of a great leader is
someone who values their relationships with others above their own
self-promotion, hears and obeys God, and remains faithful to their passion and
purpose. We can and should learn from every person we come into contact with,
as everyone is an expert in his or her own personal experience.
4. We are all Hungry-
I've learned that people on the other side of the world and people right
next-door seek to fulfill the same human needs. We satisfy our hunger in the
same way, in fact sharing food together is a significant relationship building
experience. I believe it is our responsibility to connect to one another as
technology progresses and allows us to do so more today than ever before.
Taking advantage of avenues such as social media to keep up with the world is
not just about staying relevant, but it is the practice of good stewardship.
Every person has the desire to be known, and to belong. When Christians, live
out their identity in Christ as the true expression of who He made them to be,
they gravitate toward others, because their heart’s response is to serve.
5. You don’t have to get on a plane to experience the
world- this is especially true where I
live. Though I have had the opportunity to travel, so much of my understanding
and view of the world has been established by the cultural exposure that my
parents incorporated into our family values. We had an exchange student live
with us for several years who I call my brother. As a kid I was less
enthusiastic about going to Haltom City to eat traditional Vietnamese food on
the weekends to make him feel at home, but I now I realize how significant
those repetitive experiences were for me to interact with other cultures. When
my fiancé suggested a pho restaurant on our second date without any clues, he
had my heart! It’s not just a matter of nostalgia, but it’s about the
connection and access to culture within our own city. I remember when my dad
met a waiter in a restaurant one day from another part of the world and started
a friendship with him. He spent many holidays with us. The opportunities we
have to live a life of diversity are vast, and we should always take advantage
of them if we want to understand the world!
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