I rush down the street, my mind racing of all the things that need to be accomplished today. With Hannah by my side, we make a game plan of how to tackle the growing list of responsibilities leading up to debrief. My heart is distracted, frustrated and overwhelmed. First on the list is lunch, so we duck into a local restaurant for some Peruvian food. It doesn’t take long for grumbling to take over as we start on the soup of the day.
Wait, pause a second. This isn’t how we’re called to live. We’re so focused on the busy-ness, to-do list, and ourselves that we’ve completely squeezed God out. No wonder I’ve been feeling empty and run dry. I know that we have access to a more abundant life in Christ than what my current mindset, so I ask for God to renew our minds. “Give us your thoughts and shift our hearts towards You, Jesus. We need a reset.”
It doesn’t take long before we receive an answer in the form of an unusual sight.
His face is hidden as he slowly drags his body up the street, crawling army style-like. His forearms, knees and feet are bound in layers of bandages offering protection against the hard concrete. People part and walk around him, hurrying by to their own destinations. In contrast, his own pace is painfully slow.
We agree that we should talk with him, so Hannah greets him in Spanish.
He looks up at us and engages in conversation. My Spanish is limited, so my participation in the conversation is primarily nodding. However, there is something remarkable about him that transcends our linguistic barrier; he has a radiant smile plastered across his face that exudes joy.
His name is Esteban and he’s a fellow brother in Christ. After Hannah talks with him for a while she asks if there is anything we could pray for him for. I jump in and ask if there is any specific illness or body part that needed healing. We wait expectantly for his requests.
Surprisingly, his answer simply is, “All I want is to know God more.”
His response spoke volumes of his heart position, and even more, mine.
How could that be his one prayer? I can only imagine how difficult his life is. Every obstacle I am facing pales in comparison to what I am seeing. Yet, the way that he gave his request hints at his supernatural hunger. It’s like he has tasted and seen the true character of God and couldn’t get enough of Him. He looks to God instead of the circumstances around him.
Meeting Esteban seemed to shake me from the funk that I found myself in. Ever so gently, God beckoned me to return to my first love of Jesus. He’s why I’ve come on this journey but I had lost sight of Him in the busyness of life.
Afterward saying goodbye, we walk slowly back to our hostel talking about how awesome God is for setting up our encounter with Esteban. Joy and peace rush back in while reflecting on His character. Always loving and always waiting to meet us where we’re at.
Sure, I still have many things to do, but my heart and mind are changed. Now I’m looking at the world through His eyes and operating in relationship with Him once again. He truly is a good Father.
Blessings.
