What does Extravagant Grace mean to you?
We've been planning a Thanksgiving dinner for some of the international students at the local college. I was talking with a family that is very connected with this group about possible menu options. We started with the traditional Thanksgiving feast: stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and of course Turkey. But when I said what I thought was obvious, "how much turkey?" I got a strangest look "like I had lobsters coming out of my ears." How can you go wrong with turkey? It was only later that I learned that the international students aren't as crazy about turkey as perhaps Americans are. Turkey for many of them is a unfamiliar meat, and not something they would probably like. Instead of turkey, I was informed, they very much like ham, glazed ham to be specific.
What should we do....
(1) We could ignore what THEY want and give them what's traditional American holiday fare, since it's the only correct meal to have as everyone knows. They should be made to understand that they're in America and if they don't like turkey then they should learn to tolerate it like the rest of us. We're offering the meal, we'll choose what they can and cannot have! Who do they think they are anyway rejecting a great American food that we Americans eat only once a year! Ungrateful is all I can say! Besides, I'm comfortable with turkey. Besides, ham may be more of a hassle and we've never done it that way before. [it's all about me!]
(2) We could of course, concede that ham is a good food too. Perhaps we could set aside time to remember that the purpose of Thanksgiving is not the food, but to celebrate the blessings we've been given by God with family and friends. If we did, then perhaps we could also remember that the meal is secondary to meeting the needs of these students so far from home and make them feel welcome. I know that the American turkey is very tasty, but is turkey really more important than extending hospitality to those who have no idea of our bizzare turkey mystique? What is the best way to say "Welcome to the table?" [it's all about them!]
Well here's the basic choice.
Why are we doing this meal in the first place? Is it for US or for THEM? Is it to make the international students who can't go home feel at home with us and give them a couple hours of American fellowship? or is it to indoctrinate them to what we're comfortable with, but barely understand regardless of their tastes, desires, and needs. [hello Mr. & Mrs. Pharisee] What has become of the Thanksgiving Spirit we celebrate?
The point here is bigger than this particular Thanksgiving meal. It's about how we reach out to the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Do we set aside our want, needs, and desires in order to meet the wants, needs, and desires of those searching for Christ but feel unwelcome by past hurts and fears. Let's not meet them half way, let's meet them where they are and lead them to Christ as a friend. Should we force the world to feed on the structure we have grown comfortable with but few understand? Or should we embrace the Spirit that speaks in every tongue and every language?
Guess what, I think this year we're going to have HAM! Care to join us?
Happy Thanksgiving
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This story is obviously analagous to what is happening in many stagnant and/or dying churches in America. Rather than reaching out to a public yearning for SOME kind of answers to their yearnings and healing for their brokenness, we demand that they conform to OUR way of “doing church.” If a newcomer is perplexed by our rote rituals, that’s too bad….far too often our response is, “if they want to join us, they’ll just have to learn!” If people would like to sing and hear contemporary music in a worship service, our response is often, “that’s fine…there are plenty of OTHER churches where they can find that!”
If the life of Jesus taught us nothing else, it should be that the truth of his Gospel is ALWAYS relevant! Jesus reached people where they were(tax collectors, prostitutes, sick, poor, sinners) rather than forcing them to come to Him. And when people approached him in faith, he healed and forgave them….no questions asked…BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH ALONE, not because they met some pre-determined criteria.
Sign me up for the ham this Thanksgiving…!!
we are mentors for an international student attending Marietta College for the first time. How cruel would it be to demand that he like the same foods I like, the same songs I like, speak the same language without ever being concerned about his fears, doubts and dreams?