12 December 2009

As the Rest of the World Sleeps . . .

Asia rises!  Those are the words I hear each morning when I turn on Channel NewsAsia to catch-up on the latest events impacting our lives in today's global society. And, its true -- since as most of you who are reading this blog (my friends and family back in the States) settle in for your night of rest, we here in Asia have already arisen from our beds (or for the more authentic Asians, from their mats) and have begun the next new day.

But that statement is much more than a comment on the difference in time zones between the Western Hemisphere and the East. In many real and practical ways, Asia is rising to greater and greater prominence on the world stage while a good deal of the rest of the world is sleeping, or at least slogging along. The ascendance of China and India to the status of leading nations in the global economy is as indisputable as it is inevitable in light of the current trends in both the West and the East. 

So what’s to be made of Asia’s rising? Are we to perceive it as a threat or is it the marker of movement for the 21st century? The sun never sat on Britannia in the 19th century, and near the close of the 20th, America claimed sole possession of dominance among world powers after the fall of the Soviet Union. But today, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that the status of the United States as foremost leader in the arenas of power – economic and military – has been and continues to decline, while the increasing emergence of Asian countries into prominent roles in global affairs is being recognized by every leader of the West.

The community of humanity will always consist of differing peoples, tribes, languages and nations. Rather than angling for positions of control, power and prestige, maybe it is time for us to learn to bow a bit more often and even a bit deeper. 

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble . . . . Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.    James 4:6-8

11 December 2009

The Ministry of Bearing


As I'm coming to the close of my first four months in Korea, I have been experiencing this past week what some of my American colleagues tell me is a common disposition in first-time foreigners. In spite of all the wonderful opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of students at the end of the academic year, I have been thinking and acting a whole lot more like Scrooge than Santa Claus – no matter how hard I’ve tried to work-up a holiday spirit. 

Nearly every little thing throughout each day that otherwise might only be a minor irritant has now, from my perspective, transformed into a major -- did I say MAJOR -- source of consternation!!!!! My patience is wearing thinner and thinner. (For my regular readers, you may have noticed a shift in tone in some of my recent posts). 

I am so ready to get back to the States for what I’m looking forward to -- a few wonderful weeks of renewed fellowship with my dearly loved ones. My only consolation, at this point, is to confess my failures to love and bear with my new brothers and sisters, and trust the forgiving grace of our Lord. I have been reminded of my deep need to ask God to cultivate within me a servant’s heart. 

Brother Bonhoeffer teaches us to serve one another in very practical ways. One of the chief means of service is what he describes as the ministry of bearing. As followers of Christ we are called upon to bear the burdens of others.

Those burdens include the other “person’s nature, individuality, endowment. It also includes his weaknesses and oddities, which are such a trial to our patience, everything that produces frictions, conflicts, and collisions among us” 

“To bear the burden of the other person means involvement with the created reality of the other, to accept and affirm it, and, in bearing with it, to break through to the point where we take joy in it.” (Life Together 101).

I have not yet made that break through to joy. I know that I am not capable of it.  So, if it should occur (and only the others with whom I am called to bear will know for sure) it will only occur by the grace and mercy of Christ.

09 December 2009

Sitting Down to Dine

This past Friday evening I had the privilege of being invited to the "End of Semester Party" put on by our International Student Union here at Handong. This is the same group that hosted the "open mic" night a few weeks back where I was asked to serve as one of the competition's judges. The invitation came by text message to my mobile. I was further advised that a car would come by to pick me up and transport me to the party venue. In many respects, I felt as if I were being given the VIP treatment.



The evening's festivities did not disappoint in any regard. If fact, the whole experience reflected all of the many and varied dimensions of the cross-cultural engagements I have been provided during my first four months of teaching here. The banquet afforded both traditional Korean dishes as well as a wide selection of entrées from throughout Asia and even a few Western-styled items. Needless to say, we were more than abundantly provided for.

But what was an even a greater blessing, though, was the delight and true joy I experienced from the fellowship of sitting around a table with students from eleven different countries, including Haiti, Congo, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and India. In addition, there were also students from Kenya, Thailand, Philippines and Korea. Nearly all the students joined in both singing and dancing to traditional songs from their home countries. It was one of those evenings that you wish would continue on for hours more.

As I read the Scriptures these days, the phrase “all nations” has begun to stand out in new ways. I sense that I am being given a small preview of the glorious gathering that awaits us when people from every tribe, language, and nation will join together in unity around the throne of God.

06 December 2009

Thirty Years Ago


Thirty years ago, I was teaching sixth, seventh and eighth graders language arts and social studies in St. Louis, Missouri.  Thirty years ago, my wife and I were awaiting the birth of our first child. And it was, thirty years ago today that Caleb Andrew was born.

Today, I'm teaching university students from over twenty-five different countries American law in Korea.  Today, I'm celebrating the birthday of my son, though I'm nearly half-way around the world from him and his beautiful wife, Micaela. [That's them in a photo I took at their wedding out at Cuiver River State Park in August 2008 - thirty years after Sandy and my wedding in August 1978].

Today, Caleb and Micaela are now expecting the birth of their first child.  So many wonderful events have occured over the past thirty years, and yet in some even more wonderful ways, the cycle of life is being renewed again by God's gracious goodness and mercy -- His faithfulness that is new to us each morning.

May you and Micaela continue to know God's good and gracious hand upon your lives, my Son!  You are an amazing young man, and I am very proud of the man, the husband and soon to be father, that you have become!