Question Me the Answer

Questions with easy answers pass quickly.  Questions, which have convoluted answers or no obvious answers, pass slowly.  As one enters a different culture many questions come to mind.  Often the initial easy answer becomes a question as one gain experience in the culture.  Or perhaps the certainty of the answer becomes less assured.  As time passes easy questions decrease and an attitude of acceptance begin to prevail.  The frequency of superficial questions of the why’s and wherefore’s of life decrease.  Now deeper questions come with some answers but quite often-additional questions supersede these questions.  Finding answers to difficult questions gives one the opportunity to evaluate ones motivations. 

The ability to see has major benefits.  As one looks around, one sees people constantly wearing glasses or from time to time will see a particular individual intermittently wearing glasses.  From childhood onward, I wore glasses.  In order to see, I needed glasses.  I wore very thick and heavy glasses.  It was not until close to adulthood did I realize that one of my eyes had no central vision.  I had the impression that I with my glasses allowed me to see very clearly.  I discovered that when I covered one eye my vision was markedly decreased.  While taking organic chemistry in college, I discovered my depth perception needed assistance.  When I attempted to pour the content of one test tube into another I poured the liquid on the floor or lab counter.  I thought I could see very well, but alas my vision was deficient.  About 2 years ago an intraocular lens was placed in my “good” because deteriorating vision.  I presently do not wear glasses making it appear that my vision is very good.  But I suffer from the residual of a vitreous hemorrhage, which cause occasional blurred vision. 

In a cross cultural situation one may believe he sees the culture clearly with help from those in the culture.  The understanding of the culture becomes less certain when one see the culture attempting to look around a blind spot and see the culture through another eye or perspective.  As one discovers his blind spots he may not see the culture as clearly as he thought.  As one makes adjustment his thinking about a new culture the weight a strong desire to gain understanding of new the culture may overwhelm ones perspective to the point where he benefits from thinking the culture in new and different ways.  The process of entering and understanding a new cultural is ever changing.  One makes corrections in ones thought process about the culture, but new information blurs ones understanding.  Changing glasses or points of view will help to keep in desire to see more clearly the new culture

Just as we attempt to see with our eyes the natural world, through glasses, intraocular lens implants or corrective surgery or medication, we who live in a cross cultural setting constantly must examine our view of the culture in which we serve.  Just as my eyes have changed over the year and they seem to be continually changing, my insight and understanding of the culture must also change, as I desire to see Christ glorified in the culture where I serve.  Asking questions, getting answers that precipitate more questions will help me open my eyes to better understand the people of Asia and sharpen my motivation for engaging a new culture.