This last week I have been attending some meetings in a city farther north on the island. Our field leadership and most of our language consultants were there to discuss how to better care for and encourage the new folks coming to learn the national language and culture (NCLA - National Language and Culture Acquisition). Culture shock, stress, despair, frustrations, and disappointments are all occupational hazards on this path we've chosen. We know they are coming, as they are near unavoidable for anyone seeking to adapt to a new culture so far from home. One of our field leaders shared that we're likely to see some of the worst sides of a person during this stage. One might then naturally come to the conclusion that this would be an excellent opportunity to show an overwhelming amount of grace towards our new coworkers. However....as our human nature would have it, we tend to get more hardened with each difficult experience. Instead of being sympathetic we become judging, comparing the experience of others with our own. Perhaps holding them to a higher standard than to which we'd hold ourselves.
In 2Cor 1:4 we read that those of us who have been through a rough time and have been comforted are to use that experience to be a comfort to others. In no place is that more needed than here. We know the challenges, we've often experienced how God's grace is able to carry us through. Why then....is it so difficult for us to show that same grace towards others who so desperately need it?
It was a great meeting, many important topics were discussed. But in the end, none left a bigger impression on me that the challenge of grace.
In 2Cor 1:4 we read that those of us who have been through a rough time and have been comforted are to use that experience to be a comfort to others. In no place is that more needed than here. We know the challenges, we've often experienced how God's grace is able to carry us through. Why then....is it so difficult for us to show that same grace towards others who so desperately need it?
It was a great meeting, many important topics were discussed. But in the end, none left a bigger impression on me that the challenge of grace.