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Pen to Paper | March 23, 2011 12:01 am

By Ian Gustafson, 19, Michigan USA

What is it like to travel out of my homeland? Just how different is the rest of the world from my own culture?

These were questions that bobbed in my head as I prepared to leave America and take up residence in Singapore for three months. I knew the answers would come with time but I was anxious to find out immediately.

Another thing I was concerned about was how the rest of the world sees Americans. As much as I love my country, there’s no denying that we have some negative traits. I fear we are often seen as arrogant, ignorant, and lazy. Naturally, I hope to represent the more positive aspects of my culture that I love. But to be honest … I am quite arrogant, ignorant, and lazy myself.

I have no doubt that in experiencing another culture I may become disenchanted with myself. And maybe that will be one of the blessings of this trip. Since birth, I’m familiar with only North American cultures and customs. Yet somehow I think I know everything. Ask anyone who knows me long enough and they will tell you how passionately I argue when I’m in disagreement and seldom admit my mistakes when proven wrong.

This kind of pride is no surprise to God. The Bible shows us how followers of the Lord could let their prideful, human way of thinking get in the way of seeing the world as God sees it. I’m no exception.

The reality of my cluelessness really sunk in at the airport. I had never flown before. Hence I didn’t even know where I was supposed to sit in the plane. That moment, I was reminded of Proverbs 1:7, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

As much as I would like to think that I know everything, I don’t. Jesus Christ is our teacher and we are His lifelong students. Moreover, God’s Word is full of advice on how to be truly wise and it always starts with the Giver of wisdom. Needless to say, I would do well to remember Proverbs 1:7 as I learn more about the world around me.

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