【双语灵修】跨文化：从错误中学习区INTERCULTURAL: INTERCULTURAL: LEARNING FROM MISTAKES

哥林多前书 10:31-33

所以，你们或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀神而行。 不拘是犹太人，是希腊人，是神的教会，你们都不要使他跌倒；就好像我，凡事都叫众人喜欢，不求自己的益处，只求众人的益处，叫他们得救。

九月二十六日

跨文化：从错误中学习

“不求自己的益处，只求众人的益处，叫他们得救。” - 林前 10:33

大约15年前，妻子和我曾与一个小团队在某西非国家共渡一段时间。一天，我们享用盛在一个大盘子的米饭和鸡肉。大家围着食物，各人都用手去取食，我也跟着照做，但突然听到一声大叫，看见别人用手指着我！我大感震惊，不知道自己做错了什么事。然后我的主人家大笑起来，因为我是个左撇子，所以我是用左手去从那个公用盘子取食物－这是当地文化的一种禁忌，大家都因我犯的错而哄堂大笑。

与不同文化的人相交，我们有时是会犯错的，这是在陌生环境中学习的一部分。但当我们存温柔谦卑的态度时，便会发现与不同背景的人交往，使我们的生命变得更加充实。

在今天所读的哥林多前书中，我们可以看到保罗的例子，他如何适应别人的文化，尽量调整自己的行为，表示尊敬，藉此荣耀神。当我们尊重和愿意去认识别的文化时，我们便是在忠心见证神了。

祷告

主耶稣啊，求你帮助我更开放自己，跟愿意认识那些不同文化背景的同工和邻居，当我尝试把祢的良善带给别人时，愿祢的爱能透过我来照亮他们。阿们。

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

INTERCULTURAL: LEARNING FROM MISTAKES

I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. —1 Corinthians 10:33

About 15 years ago my wife and I spent time with a small team in a West African country. One day we enjoyed a meal of rice and chicken served on a large platter. We gathered around the food, and each person took a portion with their hand. I did the same, but then I heard a shout and saw fingers pointing at me! I jumped back in shock, wondering what I had done wrong. Then my hosts burst out laughing. I am left-handed, and, without thinking, I had used my left hand to scoop food from the communal platter—and that was a no-no in that culture. We had a good laugh together over my mistake.

To engage with people of other cultures means that sometimes we are going to make mistakes. That’s a part of learning in contexts that we are not familiar with. But when we take on a posture of vulnerability and humility, we also find our lives deeply enriched through our friendship with people whose background is different from ours.

In our passage from 1 Corinthians today, we see the example of Paul adjusting his behavior to the culture of others wherever possible, in order to honor them and to glorify God. We represent God faithfully when we respect other cultures and are willing to learn.

Jesus, help me to grow in curiosity and openness to coworkers and neighbors whose cultural backgrounds may be different from mine. May your love shine through me as I seek to bring your goodness to others. Amen.