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Costumes

Tags: SEND North, Story

Part of my job in the media department is to scan news sites from various sources; Native American, Canadian, Alaskan, and the rest of the USA.  This time of year I see many articles highlighting the offense some people feel when looking at Indian costumes.  You can read an example here.  

This easily gets thrown into the debate on how ‘Politically Correct’ we should be.  My point is NOT to bring up that issue.  However, I do want to use it as an object lesson to highlight what we in SEND North face on a regular basis.

Doing ministry in the 60/70 Window puts us up close with many cultures that are in the minority in Canada and the United States.   Like it or not, there is a long history we have to contend with when trying to speak into people’s lives.  As God’s ambassadors, we are bringing the Good News to the world that is in desperate need.  We are tasked with ‘translating’ that message so people can grasp it.  We have found that it is best to avoid words, gestures, or actions that are seen as offensive.  Many times God is associated with offensive ideas or past wounds, and we have to unpack carefully the pain to bring correct understanding.  We have to be very careful and think about the impact of our choices.   While this is hard to do, it certainly teaches us to love.

When the Apostle Paul talked about being an Ambassador in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, he exclaimed, “The love of Christ compels us”.  When you let love compel you, you find it easier to be uncomfortable.  It is easier to see something from someone else’s point of view.  When we live out the love described so beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13, it is easier to be a good ambassador and communicate the Good News in a compelling way. Everything we say and do speaks volumes.  Please choose wisely and pray that we do the same.  

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