Lessons from Capetown

I used to be the person who would always slam American Christianity and proclaim that other countries had it together. I no longer shout that with great conviction (Now, I just whisper it). I have noticed that each country, people, sub culture, hemisphere, and tribe has a particular way of doing things that would be hard to justify with scriptures. These are things we need to handle in love and wisdom.  I can’t help but acknowledge the challenges that slap me each time I leave the country and see how people exercise their faith.

I’ve decided to share a few things that rocked me:

• Americans (or just me) constantly think from the perspective of “Save the Day” or “We have the answers.”
  • This can possibly be interpreted as a result of colonization or imperialism. It’s easy for one group of people to look at another group of people’s resources and think what would seem to be limitations in our paradigm must equal limitations in theirs. I was compelled to challenge some of our South African brothers and sisters to believe that GOD has blessed them with the same spiritual capacity (ACTS 1:17,18) that he has blessed Americans with. They can continue to import western philosophy, but they must create a South African legacy in light of the Gospel. It would be easy for me to say, “Yeah, just buy my cds and pass them around,” instead of trying to train capable musicians there. But I would prefer that they create their own musical identity, which would translate into a more meaningful impact and movement for Jesus.

• We are all made in the image of GOD.
  • Racism, apartheid, slavery, denominations, tribalism, the Holocaust, caste systems and the Indian Removal Act were all formulated under the selfish mindset that one particular person is more superior to the other.  But if we saw each culture, people, and nation being established for the glory of GOD, then we would be able to appreciate the beautiful differences GOD created in us all. “When the believer begins to grow tired of celebrating our differences, then he has also grown tired of looking at the Cross” –Adam Thomason

• There are spiritual ramifications to all things.
  • When a man is seen as less than a man, why would he believe that there is a GOD in Heaven that cares for him? That’s a hard wrestle. I’ve experienced this. Cultures are reproducing this nihilism within themselves, because they have no hope in eternity. Therefore, they also don’t value anything on earth. The contrast can be that too many times all they do value is on earth, which becomes idolatry. The Gospel is powerful enough to destroy these lies; we, as believers, have to not only believe this but also experience it. One way to experience it is to serve in communities, cultures, or nations different from your own.

• Make every effort to visit another country.
  • Blueprint Church just had a guest speaker who came through and challenged us on missions. He stated how much he hates it when people use the word “missions” flippantly to communicate some trip they are going on that really sounds more like a vacation. I don’t want to sound pretentious; however, I do agree that many people use the term “missions” out of context. Often times we use it to sound spiritual amongst friends, or we use it casually, which makes it just another one of the colloquialisms Christians have created.
  • I want to challenge all people to experience life outside their context. But to also experience the grace of GOD displayed in ways that are foreign to you. Whether or not it’s in the 10/40 window (the most hostile areas towards opposing religions) is not my call to place on your life. But, I challenge all to die to themselves and lose their life for the sake of the Gospel and others. Then, you will truly know what it means to see GOD’s heart for the nations.

I could stay in America for the rest of my life, or I could become a missionary in a hostile country. No matter the location, God has called us to serve. He has called us to die to our selfish ways and prejudices. He has also called us all to love each other unconditionally. There is no way out of these commands.

Here is a video of our team performing “I See the Lord” at a Bible college. I hope it encourages you. (We had to make adjustments, so it’s just vocals and a guitar.)

I See The Lord (Cape Town Remix) from sho baraka on Vimeo.