inconspicuous

Any one else celebrate May Day?

I am not really sure what we were celebrating, but I do remember using styrofoam cups, topping them with craft stems to make baskets, filling the cup with popcorn and m-n-ms, and setting them on the doorsteps of our friends. Then we would ring the doorbell and run away, trying to remain inconspicuous. 

That word inconspicuous is a word I often think about when it comes to Ethiopia. Because we are only there for about ten days - once or twice a year, we try to remain a little more inconspicuous. And let's face it. When 16ish caucasian Americans travel to Ethiopia, it is hard not to attract attention. We are light skinned compared to the culture of dark skinned people. We are loud and expressive compared to the quiet and reserved culture of Ethiopia. We have prepared and easy to make foods with lots of processing and sugar. They cook mostly from scratch without a lot of sweets - if any. We have set times; their times are very flexible. All these things are apparent when we travel and adapt to their culture. But the one thing I find I am most intrigued by is our individualistic attitude versus their sense of community. 

In general, Africans care more about the community in which they live than about themselves. We experience this time and time again while we are there. They are hospitable and make sure our needs our met before their own. Everything they do is for the good of their family and community. 

As I think about my individualistic attitude (and yes, I have it) and the culture of Ethiopia, I ask this question, "Which one draws the attention toward me and which one draws attention toward Jesus?"

Ethiopia continues to teach me and challenge me and grow me to be less conspicuous, drawing less attention and attraction toward myself and more toward Jesus.

I might have shared this before but I think the words from Paul David Tripp are worth repeating... "Here's the bottom line. The Christian life, the church, our faith are not about us, they're about him - his plan, his kingdom, his glory."

And we should remain inconspicuous.