An old adage declares, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” That’s especially appropriate when moving to a new culture.

There is ample guidance available for people relocating in foreign lands on swimming with the current—becoming culturally sensitive and integrating into the new environment. Just as important, however, is learning to retain one’s own cultural identity in a new world. Stump & Associates immigration law firm shares a few tips for immigrants on how to preserve their heritage in the great American melting pot:

Maintaining your native language not only ties you to your home country, it gives you a marketing tool when job-seeking. Many employers today value multi-lingual personnel.

Stay in touch with your friends and family back home. This will help lessen the culture shock of your new environment. It will also expand their horizons as they learn about your new homeland.

Keep up with your own personal interests and hobbies. Your favorite music, books, and television shows will help you preserve who you are as a person.

Remember to celebrate your national holidays and rituals as best as possible. Though your new country many not recognize those festivals, you may be able to join with your fellow expatriates to commemorate the events.

Most importantly, do your best to retain your religious identity and practices. Stand like a rock on this principle: freedom of worship expression is a God-given right to every human.

Esther and Mordecai were adept at both aspects of living as foreigners in Persian-ruled Babylon. While learning the language and customs of their Medo-Persian hosts, Esther and Mordecai maintained their own sense of Jewish identity in the midst of these pagan cultures.

Because there are times when it is prudent to just blend in, swim with the current, and not appear too peculiar, Mordecai wisely advised Esther not to reveal her Jewish heritage when she was selected to join the king’s harem (Esther 2:10). She adapted to her situation by changing her name from the Jewish Hadassah (joy), to the Persian Esther, which means, ironically, “hidden.”

In matters of principle, however, there are times to take a stand and be counted. Mordecai risked his life by refusing to bow to Haman, and Esther risked hers by standing up to save her Jewish nation. No matter how much our culture demands of us, we must always remember who we are as God’s people. Our citizenship is not of this world, so we stand like a rock on heavenly principles.

Sharing: Why were there still Jews living in Mesopotamia during the time of Esther? Why didn’t all of the Jews return to Palestine with Ezra and Nehemiah when Cyrus opened the way for them to go back?

1. Many of the Jews were born during the Babylonian captivity and living in Babylon and Persia was the only life they knew.
2. The Jews that Nebuchadnezzar took captive from Judea were getting pretty old by this point. Relocating once again is a lot to ask of the elderly.
3. What was there to go back to? The Babylonians reduced Jerusalem to a pile of rubble.
4. God inspired many to stay behind and live in Mesopotamia as missionary witnesses to that nation.
5. Mesopotamia was a pretty nice place to live and the remaining Jews assimilated completely into their new culture, forgetting their own heritage.
6. Other:

Applying: How do you know when to blend in, and when to stand apart from the crowd?

~ Stefani Leeper

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