Cultural Influences

“More than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. (Matthew 6:33 CEV)

Certain cultures emphasize the importance of the collective over the individual. Everyone is encouraged to put the needs of the community over their own. Cohesion,  cooperation, generosity, hospitality, and selflessness are highly valued. Conformity is mandatory. Isolation is seen as a form of punishment. Social shunning is used to keep people in line with the rules and regulations of the majority. Martyrdom, committed for the honor of one’s tribe, is glorified. Just as success of one individual can elevate the reputation of extended families, one’s failure can also diminish the reputation of many.  Thus, many who live in collectivist cultures are driven by an obligatory sense of duty and an aversion to ostracism.

Many western cultures promote individualism over collectivism. Self-reliance, initiative, competition, and self-actualization supersede the needs of the community.  Individual rights, passions, and achievement are highly valued. Solitude and privacy are sought after, not seen as forms of punishment. Conformity is considered boring. One’s identity is defined more by individual conduct than by the choices of relatives. Dependence on others is strongly discouraged. Individualistic cultures are driven by the desire for personal success, self-expression, and independence.

As followers of Christ, we are taught a third way--to seek our identity from our relationship with God. Neither individual success nor societal validation is our goal. Our priority is to put God’s work first and do what He wants. Everything else is secondary. We may sow and reap, succeed and fail, gain and lose. Our desires, ambitions, anxieties, and flaws do not disappear. Yet, we channel them in ways that honor the Lord. We seek solitude and quiet for prayer and contemplation. Conformity with Christ is highly valued. We are influenced by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we  are driven by love, compassion, and truth.