Why I don't like the title of this blog

"Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day..."

-Emerson in "Self-Reliance"

I adore this quote. I am one who changes my mind frequently... the more I learn the more I change my mind... which is confusing to most.

In a world where being "wishy washy" and a "flip flopper" is the sign of weak character, I think the opposite. If I realize I'm wrong, isn't it better to change than to continue on foolishly for the sake of consistency?

I've been trying to find a good way to "disagree with myself" about the title of this blog for quite some time now... yet I only now have found words to explain.
 
"Be Still and Know..." comes from that famous verse, "Be still and know that I am God."

It's a great verse. A great passage. It's plastered all over Christian art, peaceful landscapes, and watercolor paintings, reminding the viewer to slow down, find peace without worrying, allowing God the proper place of control. What could possibly be wrong with that? It sounds so peaceful, so encouraging, so beautiful.

Well. It's only half the verse.

But most people never hear the other half. Because we like it the way the first half sounds. It's about me. It's about me relaxing and letting God "do His thing."

What's the second half?

"I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

So what?

Part of "knowing He is God" means understanding (on the human scale, with our finite minds) who God is... his heart for the whole world. His glory is not just on a "me and God" scale but also a "whole world" scale.

Why is this uncomfortable? Why isn't this written in loopy letters on the pictures of awesome sunsets or trickling waterfalls?

Because God has a heart for the nations, and so often we don't. I don't. My culture is comfortable. It's enough for me to know God. But no. God cares about every nation. Every tribe. Every culture. So I should too.

He will be exalted among the nations. Heaven is not a one-dimensional culture made up of people exactly like me. Heaven will be a multi-colored, multi-cultural celebration of the God of Nations.

It seems like my whole life I've been missing this.

And now, here, in the middle of Hungary at an international school where students speak all sorts of languages, I'm beginning to catch a glimpse.

The thing is... I've grown up between cultures. I've been wrestling with my identity. In some ways, student teaching in Hungary has caused me to go on a journey of "finding myself" as cliche as that may sound. I've been frustrated with my cultural background. Frustrated at my "everywhere and nowhere" homes. Saddened by losing close relationships due to my cultural differences. But that's what happens when I focus on the negatives.

I can see this in-betweenness as an asset, or as a burden.

And once again, in a moment of frustration, I felt the Lord speak to my heart:

You're my image bearer. Don't you see... I have created you in my image to love cultures just like I love cultures. To be in-between cultures like I am in-between cultures. So that you can understand people like most can't.

So. While I'm not necessarily going to change the title of this blog, I do want my readers to know that the "..." implies the whole verse:

knowing that God is a God of Nations who calls His people to love the Nations like He does... in order to bring Him glory in every nation, every language, every culture.