Written by: Becky Hunter in Becky Hunter's Random Bits of Wisdom on May 29, 2012

How would you complete this sentence? I am ____________.

Last weekend I ran across some research that said most people from Western cultures will fill in that blank with “internal observations”—I am happy, ... sad, ...frustrated, ... , while people from Eastern cultures generally will fill in that blank with “relational observations”—I am a wife, ...a mother, ...a citizen, … .

Because our God, the great “I AM”, is a relational God it seems to me that Eastern cultures may be filling in that blank more like God Himself would. Lots of us Westerners think that God would fill in that blank—I am mad, … disappointed, … pleased ..., but isn’t it more likely He would fill in that blank—I am your Father, ... Savior, ... Guide? Certainly those are more signficant points, and if we don’t miss those points; we won’t miss Him.

As a typical Westerner, my default is to complete “I am ______” with an internal observation, but the best days of my life are the ones I respond to through the filter of relational observation. Whether I’m happy, sad, frustrated, or peace-filled, I am a wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, church member, friend, citizen, and because of Christ’s incredible sacrifice, a citizen of Heaven as well.

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Philippians 2:3-4).