Culture

27 July 2011

Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

There are many different kinds of culture and ethnic values which bring about the unique differences between people. The difficulty with this is when these cultures clash and become issues between people, this may be seen all around the world as the mobility of people increases globally. The one major problem is when a person of one culture moves into a different country and then expects the people of their new country to change their culture to suit theirs. In a cosmopolitan and cross cultural community like South Africa even with many years of experience each community maintains its own culture which then entrenches the differences between people rather than the similarities.

It is when people meet together and food is served that we most often experience each other, and when people reject the food as different and do not eat it, it is seen as a rejection of the other persons culture. So when we visit other countries or people different to us visit us we need to be aware of how sensitive people are to their own culture. So when we visit, we treat the things that they are sensitive about as holy and we eat what is placed before us with grace and thanksgiving for their welcome of us, even if it is not what we are used to. For these people it is the best that they can do, and so should be received with the love that is given.

Be encouraged today to be more sensitive to the cultures of others.

  

David

Point to ponder: We are all pilgrims in a foreign land.

Question to consider: Are you culture sensitive?

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