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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD
Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 182 June 28, 2001
Assimilation
Yesterday Kathy and I visited a local living museum, the Ukranian Cultural Heritage Village. It’s one of those places where entire era’s of time have been painstakingly restored in great detail, including people dressed in historic costumes recreating daily life. It’s a great place, and I recommend you visit it, if you ever get to Alberta.
Ukrainians settled much of the province of Alberta, back in the early 1900’s. Looking for a better life, they came bringing only what they could wear and carry in a small steamer trunk.
Most had lived as serfs working for wealthy landowners. They owned two to five acres subsistence farms on which they eked out a living, after laboring all day on the big farm.
Coming to Canada, they were given title to 160 acres of land for $10, providing they met certain requirements for clearing the land and residency. To them, 160 acres of wooded land was a paradise. There was plenty of space to garden and an limitless supply of firewood for heating and cooking. They truly had a fresh start and unlimited possibilities before them.
They lived the first few years is small sod roofed homes. As time and money permitted, they built small homes similar to what they left behind in Ukraine.
As time progressed the style of buildings became more and more “Canadian” and they assimilated into mainstream Canadian life.
There remains a distinctive Ukranian culture in Alberta, but by and large they have become just another of the many groups that make up this country.
It is our nature to want to fit in, to assimilate with the culture around us. We don’t want to stand out or be “different”.
God know this when he sent the Israelites into the promised land. He knew the dangers the and warned them about the foreign idols:
You yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold. Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. Deuteronomy 29:16-18 NIV
As Christians, we often start our feeling incredibly blessed by the forgiveness of God. After a while we look at the culture around us, and slowly begin to let the old ways creep back in. Before long, we are just another part of the world, distinctive in name only. We’re back to worshipping the gods of success and material wealth.
As believers, we are called to be different from the world. How are you doing?
Until next time, may you return to and retain the role of being set apart from the world to show the light of Christ.
God bless.
Kevin
If you have never experience the forgiveness of God, but want to be set free of the mistakes of the past and the parts of your life that drag you down, email me. I’ll share a few Bible verses that will explain why you need a relationship with Jesus and a prayer that will make it possible.
Experience the freedom of a fresh start today.
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin
All Rights Reserved