Going Native

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

— David, in Psalm 27:4 ESV

There are occasions in life when we move into a new culture. Maybe when we enter a profession or change companies, join the military, or change churches. Missionaries experience this acutely.

Everything is different. Maybe a little different; maybe a lot. Language (or jargon), rules, methods, priorities, attitudes toward time, money, orderliness, and hospitality—all different.

Adapting to a new culture comes in four phases:

1. Excitement and adventure

2. Frustration and irritation

3. Gradual adjustment

4. Acceptance. Feeling at home.

When we surrender our life to Christ, we are transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God's Son. The domain of darkness has a culture and Christ's kingdom has a very different culture. How fully will we adapt?

Adapting to a new culture involves observation and study, immersion, imitation, making mistakes, asking for help. It requires effort, determination, persistence, and hope.

But we all know people who never do adapt. They give up somewhere—and cling to their familiar old culture. They never adjust. They never feel quite at home.

Rehumanizing

We're coming off of Independence Day—a time to think again about phrases like "liberty and justice for all" and “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

It's time once again to wonder how slavery was rationalized. And how my grandfather could be paid in scrip—only redeemable at the company store.

Many reading this won't remember a time—not so long ago—when the 'Human Resources' function was called 'Personnel'. The change was both ingenious and devastating. Organizational leaders would now be expected to manage the workforce just like any other resource.

But people are different entirely. And people stewardship must look different than the stewardship of cash, inventory, machinery, data or systems. While it's appropriate to think of stewarding nonhuman resources, with people it's better to think of stewarding influence.

When we begin to view people as property—as nothing but resources—we can so easily slip into a two-tiered humanity, reserving unalienable Rights to the wealthy and powerful.

The disciple’s two decisions

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

— Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples. So those who call themselves Christian must become a disciple, be a disciple, and then make disciples.

Becoming and being a disciple can be reduced to just two decisions.

The first decision: follow Jesus to become a disciple. This is the initial decision, the submission of one's will to Christ's authority, signified by baptism.

The next decision: follow Jesus to be a disciple. This covers every next decision, the submission of one's will to Christ's authority, signified by obedience.

Making the first decision and carefully (though not perfectly) navigating each next decision qualifies and compels us to then make disciples.