The cultural differences of countries across the world that are exposed by studies and polling makes for fascinating reading. They also tell us a great deal about the national psyche of the country in question.

A survey on alcohol consumption sees the UK preferring beer, France opting for wine, and Russia choosing spirits. The image of British lager louts, wine quaffing French and Vodka addled Kremlin super-spies may seem clichéd, but don’t seem too far from the mark.

The variety of highly favoured US exports of TV shows paint another picture.

For a nation with a rich history of political intrigue and brutal dictators, ‘Game of Thrones’ being Russia’s number one is no surprise. Neither is Australia’s choice of the award winning comedy ‘The Big Bang Theory’. Why Mexicans are quite so fond of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ though is more of a mystery.

The most popular Bible verse also gives a real insight into what concerns citizens of the nations the most.

In the west, The US, the UK and Canada, it’s Romans 12 verse 2, which begins “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In cultures that see constant demands of a consumer society, fixated on celebrity, the search for a different way of being finds an answer in Scripture.

In The South American nations of Columbia and Brazil, Joshua 1 verse 9 is favoured. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The history of these countries account for just why they go back to this verse again and again.

And for South Korea, a country constantly facing the unpredictability of their trigger happy neighbours to the North, the words of Philippians 4 verse 6, “”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”, explain why it’s the most popular there.

The Bible is not a book of long dead history, or just a handy moral guide, but the ongoing story of God’s love for his creation, through which God still speaks. It’s a book worth reading, and time with the Bible is time well spent. Why not dust it down, open it up, and find what God might have to say to you.

(February 2017)