The best way to get on in Britain is very much the same as the best way to get on in America.  The same sort of courtesy and decency and friendliness that go over big in America will go over big in Britain.  The British have seen a good many Americans and they like Americans.  The will like your frankness as long as it is friendly.  The will expect you to be generous.  They are not given to back-slapping and they are shy about showing their affections.  But once they get to like you they make the best friends in the world.

The above comes from a little book my sister loaned me entitled, “Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain 1942.”    The forward states:  The original pamphlet…was issued by the United States War Department in 1942 and distributed to American servicemen who were going to Britain to prepare for the invasion of occupied Europe.  Many of them had never been abroad before, and this pamphlet’s avowed aim was to prepare these young American GIs for life in a very different country and to try and prevent any friction between them and the local populace.

It is interesting reading and includes such topics as sports, women, how and when to joke, weights and currency differences and much more.  One bold heading warns, KEEP OUT OF ARGUMENTS.  This section concludes with “Once again, look, listen and learn before you start telling the British how much better we do things.”

Seems like we who call ourselves followers of Jesus could benefit from a book that prepares us for life in a very different country in order to prevent friction between us and the local populace.  Oh wait…we do have such a book.  I think it’s called the Bible.  And in it getting along with those different from ourselves is actually modeled by the main character, Jesus.

Here’s how I would summarize the Bible’s guide for pilgrims living in a strange land:

Keep your politics to yourself.  Politics alienate.  So you’re a flaming liberal.  So you’re a staunch conservative.  Just as surely as you please some people with your stance on political issues, you will most certainly create distance between you and others.  So, keep your political positions secret. 

Avoid bumper stickers.  “Tigers for Christ” might get your car keyed in Louisville.  “God Created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” will elicit a giggle from your church friends, but you can be sure it will put you at odds with a growing number of fellow citizens.  Is that what you want?

Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve.  Landon Saunders used to say the fastest way through a throng of travelers at the airport is to hold a Bible out in front of you…the masses will part like the Red Sea.  People in New England look at you funny when you pray in their restaurants.  About half of the U.S. population believe in the freedom of a woman to choose abortion, so one who vocalizes his/her anti-abortion position will never have the credibility to discuss eternal issues with half the nation.  You don’t drink, dance, swim with the opposite sex?  You’re one of the few who don’t.  Saying so will cut you off from most people in America.  Is that what you want?

If you want to arouse suspicion, be considered a kook, be written off by a certain segment of society, make sure others know where you stand no matter what, exercise you first amendment rights…then ignore the above.

But, if you truly want to find in-roads into another person’s life, connect with those not like yourself, create meaningful life-related dialogue, show Jesus to a world who desperately needs a model, then here’s how:

Anchor your life with the most underprivileged in your city.  You’ll not only gain the trust and respect of the poor, but even city leaders and the rich will wonder about you and at least give you the benefit of the doubt. 

Become an advocate and friend of minorities.  When your friends make jokes about Hispanics, make it clear you don’t share those sentiments.  Learn a foreign language and advocate immigrants’ freedom to maintain their own languages and cultures.

Make your neighborhood, not the church building, the center of your focus.  Count up the number of hours church-building related activities take you away from the ones who most need your friendship—too many!  Want to socialize with good people?  Have your neighbors and work associates over for a card party, pool night, cookout, or movie marathon.  Organize a neighborhood clean-up with brunch at IHOP following.  Keep up with health related issues of neighbors and volunteer to take them to doctor’s appointments or visit them in the hospital.  Go play cards with some residents in the local nursing home.  Use the extra half-acre in your yard as a community garden.  Transport some inner-city kids and parents out to maintain the garden and consume its bounty.

Live simply.  Move down.  Go green.  Give away more than you purchase.  Fix it yourself.  Shop thrift shops.  Buy local.  Eat right.  Give carelessly.  Visit the local bar occasionally.  Avoid debt.  Turn off T.V.  Walk.  Smile.  Laugh.  Get a dog.   

L’chai-im!