"We're Cultured!" Thursday: Counter-Culture Shock.

Edited: When I finished this post, I googled and found out that what I'm feeling is called Reverse Culture Shock. Thank you Wikipedia.


My deepest impression of a culture shock was going to a developing country in Southeast Asia and having to lock hands with a girl I've only met only an hour before. What I know is that it is perfectly normal for that culture to do so, but whether it is for us to accept it or even getting used to it (especially if you are planning to stay long term). Perth was relatively much easier - very friendly people even on the streets, courteous on the roads most of the time, and yes, a lot of beer drinking, partying and socializing to go with that.

So when it's time to get back home, I started preparing myself mentally, emotionally, spiritually - thinking about local food, start keeping contacts with friends back home and making dates to meet up, and seeking God for His direction and His will in these few months. I've got plans, I've got big ideas of impacting people I'm going to meet. That they will have awesome God encounters, that some pre-Christian friends might come to know God, the likes. I was excited. Really, I was.


Tonight I found myself frustrated. (Yes I've been frustrated this week) It's only been a week since coming back, and I am frustrated already. A lot of the frustration came from not being able to spend as much me-time, the ungraciousness of locals in public places, how having mountaintop experiences with God seemed to disappear with a change in environment and new commitments I found myself with. Along with meeting the culture I have grew up with and finding it foreign (suppose shedding fobbiness does that to you), the change in routine and figuring how to continue placing God as number one in life proves to be difficult.


I asked Him why does it seem like in light of all that is going on, I seem to forget His purpose and His will for me in this period of time. It came to me as part of what my discipler told me before I left - that there will be people who will rob my joy, rob my treasures, things I have accumulated in this spiritual journey. Therefore, I should keep stock of what I have regularly and know what is missing, or even stop anyone from taking them. Seems like it doesn't it?

Also, the daily SCL read came timely, reminding me that the purpose of any part of my journey, any season in life, is to have a closer relationship with God. And that is enough. Because anything else will follow from that.

The consolation, the hope I have is that He is with me, in me, for me wherever I go. Being the only constant in my life, it counts for a lot doesn't it?


At least there wouldn't be any culture shocks or counter-culture shocks with Him - the same everywhere, every time. Thank God.