Pouting and Packing

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.  ~ Paul


I'm packing for my next adventure.  It just so happens that this next adventure takes place in a country that likes to wear long pants, long sleeves, and high necks.  That would be fine with me, if this country was Siberia.  Unfortunately, it's not.  It's North Africa, and it's hot.  As I was trying to figure out how in the world I was going to navigate this wardrobe puzzle, I got a little cranky.  Why can't we just wear shorts?!  It's HOT.  It's SUMMER.  More heat, less clothing.  That's kind of how we operate.  


Then I got to thinking.  Paul found himself in a similar situation.  He wanted to share his Good News with people who had different customs and ways of living.  Instead of saying, "See here, boys, this is how we do it back home!" He said, " I have become all things to all people".  He decided he'd let the unimportant stuff go for the sake of the Good News.  


I don't know that I'd choose to dress from head to toe, but it does speak to the character of the people that do.  They don't let weather dictate their standards of modesty.  Ok.  Cool.  They honor each other by making sure their clothing is not low cut, high cut, un cut.  


Am I willing to let my American my-way-or-the-highway attitude go for the sake of building relationships with these people?  Am I willing to give up my freedom for the sake of the One who gave it to me in the first place?  




Packing and praying,


Little Miss Sunshine