In China, I’m an XXL

Travel is a mind-expanding experience. I recommend starting early in life and traveling as often as you can. Traveling within a home country can help us see that others live differently than us, have different accents, traditions, concerns, opportunities, and types of communities.

The differences between states and regions in the USA can be significant. Just consider the debates over pizza styles, BBQ flavors, and chili ingredients.

But if you really want to get a better perspective on life and your place in the world, travel abroad. I’ve just gotten back from a trip to China to see my son. This is my third trip to visit him since he moved to Shenzhen in about 2012, right out of college.

At least once during each visit I have been in a position where no one around me spoke English. This is not surprising, of course. The real surprise is that most of the time there is someone who does speak English and I can easily communicate. Believe me, I get the blessing of that. We’ll circle back to it in a bit. Typically, my son is with me all the time. He speaks Mandarin fluently, and, therefore, knowing just hello and thank you in Mandarin (which I do) is all I need.

You want a perspective-broadening experience? Get dropped off at a spa in China where, once your interpreter leaves, you have to resort to pointing and pantomime. You might as well be deaf for all that the conversations mean to you.

Get immersed in a totally different culture and you learn about perspective quite quickly. In the USA, I’m a small or medium sized person. Not so in China. The one time I tried to buy shoes (on my first visit), I found that they do not offer women’s shoes in my not-so-unusual-in-America size.

This time, due to my luggage being delayed, I needed to buy a couple of garments. I went to a store with “American brands” (made in China, though) and so I selected a medium, just like I would at home. The clerk was so sure it would not fit me that she insisted on taking a tape measure to my hips. Much to the attendant’s surprise, it fit just like it would if I bought it in the USA. I found this all very amusing.

Then at the spa, I was offered an XXL set of the spa’s pajama-like uniform, and it fit. So, that is why I say that I am an XXL in China. Because this spa was not a tourist hang out, but attracted more of a local clientele, I was a giant compared to all of the other women there and most of the men I saw.

I am clearly “not from around here” as I am a blond-haired white woman, but I am also, compared to them, huge. As I said, XXL.

Children stared up at me. I smiled at them and said “hello” in Mandarin.

Here is the point I want to make: perspective is everything when it comes to human interaction. From their perspective, I was the exotic looking one who stood out in all the crowds – just like a petite Chinese woman would stand out if she came to the small East Texas town I grew up in.

1 Samuel 16:7 [NKJV] gives us some insight into God’s perspective: But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God does no see people the way we do. His perspective is internal (the heart) and eternal. And aren’t we extremely thankful that He sees us differently than our neighbors and coworkers might?

Despite our struggles with sin, obedience and growth, He sees us as His beloved and wanted children.

People will say they don’t see color. I think God sees it in all the varieties He created, and the blends mankind has created over the years, and He loves us for who we are to Him, not the color of our skin, the region we are from, the language we speak, etc. I believe He appreciates the variety in language and culture, clothing and traditions (though not the pagan religions) mankind has created.

The good news of our future eternity with Him is not bound by looks, language, culture or any other factor that makes us unique. It is only bound by God’s love – and, really, that has no bounds.

When we are tempted to take an “us and them” mentality, we risk opposing the perspective of God.

Isaiah 55:8-9 [NIV] 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, sweet sisters, as we approach another year on this twirling globe that we share, let’s continue to set an example of what a child of God should “look like” on the inside, but continuing to focus on looking more like Him in how we act, think and speak to our neighbors near and far.  Let’s continue to strive to align our thoughts with God’s thoughts, rather than being tempted to try to fit His thoughts into our perspective.

And when you travel (and I hope you do travel), whether it is just out of your neighborhood or to the other side of the world, let’s try to see God’s children and potential children for who they are to Him.

Differences in how we look and dress, in our food and culture, do not change our potential and future as the reborn sons and daughters of God. And that is a perspective that will help you wherever your travels take you.

The world is a beautiful creation. The hand-made inhabitants of this world are also beautiful in the eyes of God.

I welcome your comments and questions. I invite you to share your travel experiences and lessons. You can write me now in the chat or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org