“Asians peel in, Europeans peel out.”
I was viewing a cooking show showcasing two chefs who were peeling peaches when one of the chefs made the above comment. The chefs chuckled since both were Asian but one of them was formally trained in France while the other grew up in Thailand where he learned his skills. Sure enough, the French-trained chef peeled his peach with his paring knife pushing the skin outward away from his body. The Thai-trained chef peeled his peach bringing the knife toward his body. Of course, the end result was the same. It was interesting and something I had never previously noticed.
I thought about the way I peeled fruits and vegetables and confirmed that I peeled with an outward movement. For an Asian who grew up in Hawaii, I suppose one may think it could be either method. Yet, my Western upbringing was inculcated into my beginning cooking skills and I peeled like a European.
As I pondered this simple example of cultural upbringing leading to differences in behavior, I reflected upon the different expressions of my faith and of countless brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ throughout the world. We are all influenced by our upbringing and the cultures in which we are raised. I have attended and visited churches throughout the world. Some worship services are solemn and reverent experiences, with the preacher being the only speaking voice heard. Other services are filled with dance, song, and shouts of adulation and praise. In spite of the different expressions of faith, I never doubted the sincerity of the faith of my fellow believers. I have been blessed to have met many great saints in all worship settings.
…obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:9 (ESV)
Peel in, peel out.
Our expressions of faith may diverge in many directions but the end result of true faith is always the same, the salvation of our souls by believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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