My time here in Southeast Asia is coming to an end. With only a few days left, I can’t help but reminisce on all the extraordinary things God did in the past 3months. So, this blog will revolve around what The Lord has revealed to me through my time here and how He calls us to integrate such lessons into our every day lives.
Last Sunday, here at the orphanage, we had the opportunity to take the kids to a waterfall. What, to most, would be a casual adventure; to the kids was an adventure to be lived to the full. As we packed 30+ people into a rather rugged truck, a lighthearted excitement seemed to enter the atmosphere. As I looked around, there was no bothered hearts (which would seem impossible due to the amount of people crammed into a truck), but rather appreciation and joy for such opportunity. As we continued on our 3-hour voyage upon dusty Cambodian back roads, I began to look around at all the kid’s faces. Expecting to see faces of “uncomfortableness”, I was shocked to see a constant thrill in their eyes. A constant want to live, accompanied by an attitude that reflected such, these kids were having the time of their lives. No worries clouded their thoughts. Everything, for the moment, seemed perfect. And I believe it was indeed perfect.
It was in that moment God spoke to me:
Every day (I/we) strive for something better. To the naked eye, there is nothing wrong with that, but, with a deeper examination, a problem seems to reveal itself. Commonly, with our want to better our lives, or ourselves, we dream of a brighter future. Constant thoughts of, “if only I had this my life would be better” or, “whenever I have this, my life will be better.” In the midst of those thoughts we tend to lose sight of today, for our focus is constantly on the future. That is the moment in which self-betterment hinders our lives. Improving ourselves is something natural, and honestly beneficial; however, when it impedes us from enjoying the now, it can be detrimental. If we constantly live for moments, all the moments leading up to such dreamed about occasions become insignificant in our own eyes. Every moment is significant. God calls us to live every day to the FULL. Sometimes that means not thinking about tomorrow and experiencing the extraordinary things He has for us TODAY (Matthew 6:34). Every day is an adventure in which God unfolds a facet of Himself to us. And man, it is beautiful.
When we reached the waterfall location, the children were quick to exit the truck and begin the day’s adventure. Haste and excitement filled steps, along with lit up faces, made it irresistible to experience joy as we hiked our way to the waterfall. At last, we reached the waterfall.
The time spent there was a time flooded with laughter, joy, and adventure. The icy cold water seemed to present no barriers to the kids, who with no hesitation, began to dive deep into the waters. There was not a worry in the world in any of our minds or hearts. We were living life, in the little moments, but we were living it fully. The day continued as we jumped off rocks, charged our way through the rampant waters to experience what it would be like under the waterfall, and allowed ourselves to be carried by the current. As our time there came to an end, the exhaustion of the day’s adventure dawned upon us, yet failed to conceal the joy of a successful day.
I believe we are called to live out every day. We are constantly being told that, “it will get better.” But, I would love to challenge that commonly used expression with “it IS better.” There is beauty in every instance of every day, and we are called to find such. Somedays, it will be harder to find the silver linings in the rollercoaster that is life, but that in no way impedes the existence of one. Life in itself is a beautiful gift, and we have the choice to leave it wrapped, hoping for something better/bigger/more beautiful, or we can unwrap the present (pun intended) and see the marvel which it unfolds.
So, what did I learn from God these last 3months in Southeast Asia?
I learned that our God is constant in every second of our days. That He is an adventurous God and reveals Himself in the little & big endeavors in our lives. That every day is a darn good day. That we have a promised future (Jeremiah 29:11), so there is no need to worry. I learned that He tells us to chase waterfalls (sorry TLC), have a good time, and live life to the FULL.
“[…] I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” – John 10:10
In Christ’s love,
Diegz
