Being a woman of Indian origin, I have had many people ask me or imply to me of why I worship a Western god. I have heard some of my Indian friends say that Jesus is a Western god and Indians should worship Indian gods. Having immigrated to a Western country, it sometimes seems to attest more to a divided loyalty to my homeland, India.
I’ve known Jesus all my life. I can say that I was thrust into His arms from the time I was born. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I have searched all my life for truths about my identity. My identity as a woman, a human, an Indian, an immigrant, a believer, a religious minority. I’m a thinker, I think a lot and I cannot blindly take accusations nor justifications. I cannot simply follow what I’m told to do.
Jesus, who is He? Why does He matter to me? Why do I follow a “western god”? I have pondered these questions from the time I could reason and think for myself.
Some things that I am able to accept and live with are:
- Jesus is NOT a Western God. He is Middle Eastern. But if He had been Western, or Indian, I would have still worshipped Him because of who He is.
- God is not specific to a geographic location. God cannot be restricted by geographical boundaries. To restrict God to a specific location/culture or language is counter intuitive to me. God is above all things, even nationality.
- Culture, patriotism and faith are all different things and shouldn’t be mixed up, ever. Mixing these up has led to tragic results in the history. We cannot continue to make the same mistakes again.
- I’m an Indian and I love the many cultural aspects of India. India gave me my roots, my childhood, my education and so many beautiful things in the past and present. I am forever grateful for that.
- I’m an immigrant to the United States of America, and I love this country for how they have welcomed us and showed us hospitality. Day after day, I encounter many American friends and colleagues who treat me with love and dignity. America has given me opportunities that I could have only dreamed of, and for that, I’m grateful.
- I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, who worships Jesus, a Middle Eastern man who spoke the Aramaic language, but was God incarnate in flesh.
- My citizenship, as a follower of Christ is not of this world but with Him. Truly, we are all passers by, travellers in this life. Wherever God calls us to live, we live and live to His glory. My passport doesn’t determine my ultimate identity. God does.
Why am I blogging this? Well, I happened to see this YouTube video today, and it somehow resonated with me. It triggered a lot of those old questions again. Isaiah 53 isn’t taught in synagogues, apparently, because it’s a prophecy about the Messiah(the Christ). I follow the Messaih that even Jewish people often reject. It is kind of scandalous, don’t you think? But should that stop me? I think I follow Him because it makes the most sense to me. The prophecies in the forbidden chapter and more, archeological records, history, divine supernatural encounters, my personal experience of God, and His goodness, they all add up. Time and time again, I am amazed. There is a wow factor, every. single. time.
Sorry about the long post but I was awestruck once again! Wowed to be exact. 😆🤯
It’s an interesting video. Check it out.