A Paradox



I have heard many stories of the days before my time. I have seen many pictures of the way things used to be, but this weekend we are going to a big name music concert that smashes to smithereens any remnant of what that previous era stood for! Sometimes, I forget when I talk to the young women here that just one generation ago their mothers were completely hidden from view. Even to this day, many of the older generation still walk around completely covered head to toe. Meanwhile, their daughters are going with me to a famous rock band in their city! 

This tension of the worlds that I live in causes some interesting results. On one hand, I go and teach piano to local women in their homes. I teach in English and I draw on my Western heritage and experience to tutor them in the basics of piano and music theory. This highlights where I'm from originally and the desire for these women to learn a new skill previously not allowed here. Learning music enables personal creative expression and empowers individuals to channel their emotions in a positive way. Ultimately, music can be used by God to connect with us and for us to lavish our affection on Him. This is my dream to see here. 

On the other hand, I invest countless hours into learning the beautiful language of the Arab people. I am connected with the deep roots of this culture and land by learning their tongue. The word pictures and real life examples demonstrate the desert life many of these people came from. By immersing myself in their language and culture, I learn about where I grew up and the longings of this people group. I begin to feel their pain, empathize with their grief and rejoice in their joy. 


When our Teacher walked on earth, He demonstrated to us what it means to be completely confident in who He is and still completely humble and reachable by all those around Him: “He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” And again it is written elsewhere, “He did not please Himself [but endured scorn and shame]”. I pray that each person I meet would encounter the same Teacher inside of me loving them and building them up. I want to embrace the treasures of this culture and people like their incredible hospitality. At the same time, in contrast to the hypocritical facades that people put on to save face, I want to demonstrate a new way of thinking. Yes, it is possible to know exactly who you are as, sometimes quite literally, a son or daughter of royalty and to still be in complete submission to the God of the Universe, able to love and be loved with utter abandon.


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