I’ve seen a few people online commenting that this strange season is subjecting us all to culture shock. So much has changed for everyone – we are all living very different lives to what has been normal for us. Things are so changed for us all. And it reminded me of a post I wrote about moving here to the parish – and some things the Vicar and I learnt when we moved to Kuala Lumpur many years ago.
The culture shock I’ve experienced before – moving to different countries and to different cities – has taken much longer to kick in. But I think that being in the same place and yet nothing being the same has compressed the experience. A couple of weeks into lockdown and it no longer feels like a slightly odd holiday. The boys are now fed up of not going to school. And the steep tech learning curve is exhausting, and trying to find new ways of connecting with people isn’t a fun alternative any more, but frustrating and awkward.
So, as in my original reflection on culture shock, I’m reminded that this world is not my home; here I’m a ‘foreigner and exile’ (1 Peter 2:11). Suffering culture shock should make me look to my heavenly home, and focus on the place I really belong. This week we remember those days when the Lord Jesus gave himself for us. He gave up his true home to tread the path to the cross – and on to glory. And so I can stumble along in this strange new world, remembering that whether things are strange or even just ‘normal’ I’m here in exile. My home is now with Christ, because of the cross and the glory he won there for his people.
The Vicar's Wife 
It’s days after I read this but it helped me, so much so I’ve mentioned it to others. I wished to thank you.
During flare ups of symptoms of my 19 year journey with chronic health challenges, sometimes the hankering for heaven is particularly strong. However sometimes I do not let myself attend to these yearnings because I seek to grow in contentment and you’re in for having things to potentially undermine contentment. However, maybe they are not opposing activities, as in one must be chosen over the other.
Today I read your post and felt freed to be comforted by the future and thoughts of my true home. Maybe they are even appropriate, since I am a ‘foreigner and exile’ (1 Peter 2:11).
I was particularly impacted by your summation. If I had to pick a sentence that gripped my attention, and heart, then “He gave up his true home to tread the path to the cross – and on to glory.” Wow. Even before he ever gave the greatest sacrifice, he made a massive sacrifice in leaving his true home and the presence of the Father. What stunning love.
Thank you. I really am encouraged by your reflections.
Hi Limberkee! A late reply to say thank you for this. I’m so glad this post was an encouragement to you.