Over the past week or so, my mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of home. When I applied for the World Race, I knew I would literally have to uproot my life as I traveled around the World for 11 months. Teaching at Eastern Kentucky University, my life group at Southland Christian Church, my dog Paris, my family and friends, and even my home would have to be temporarily shelved as I took on this new chapter of my life. Fortunately for me, frequent contact with my friends and family (and even a couple of skype sessions with Paris) have allowed me to take a piece of home with me wherever I go. All is well on the home front: my family and friends have been encouraging, I can find a new job when I return home, my dog Paris still recognizes my voice, and my house is…oh wait, my house!! Yep, that one ball and chain that is never too far behind – even 7,000 miles around the world I can still feel the pressures of being a home owner breathing down my neck. I’ve been so worried, anxious, and consumed by the thought of possibly losing my home if I couldn’t find a renter by the end of March. No money in the bank + no renter = no more home. Needless to say, I was down in the dumps with no way out.
Then, unexpectedly, God sent me a lesson through the eyes of a young Indian Orphan…
We called him Orange Club. He was young, full of life, and displayed one of the most joyful smiles known to man. He could change the feel of the room, deter the direction of your heart, and make you love a kid like you’ve never loved one before. Orange Club (his real name was Lelakreshna) was a young boy of about 8 years old that lived with us at the orphanage in India. Lindsey and I named him Orange Club because he always wore an orange shirt around and, of course, our favorite color is orange! (it also didn’t hurt that his shirt actually SAID Orange Club…haha) Plus, it’s nearly impossible to remember the names of over 150 orphans. Heck, I struggle remembering the names of contestants on American Idol!
Over the course of the month in India, Orange Club became my shadow; a bestie you could say. Wherever I went, he followed. Whatever I said, he attempted to repeat. Whatever game I was playing, he wanted to challenge me. We were friends. Buddies. Pals. Amigos. The next Batman and Robin. (in case you’re wondering, I was Batman). After the first few days at the orphanage, I noticed that Orange Club carried a single key around his neck. I was going to wait until we dressed up in our superhero costumes and spoiled Joker’s latest attempt at a bank robbery before I asked him what the key was for, but I figured what the heck – go for it!
As I pointed to the key around his neck and did my very best American to Indian facial expression of confusion (don’t worry, I’ve had tons of practice) he anxiously grabbed my hand and whisked me away to the boys dorm room. Inside, on the floor, the shelves, and the walls, there were boxes – not huge boxes, maybe half the size of an antique traveler’s trunk – but old boxes everywhere. He ran over and knelt down beside one of the old trunks, his smile as wild as ever, (his excitement was spreading like wildfire…even my heart was beating!), and took the key off of his neck and opened the box. Inside was his own secret hideaway, a cavern of treasures, a world that was most likely accessed by only a few people. It took me a moment to realize I wasn’t just staring at Orange Club’s toy box, I was peering into something much greater. I was gazing directly into his life.
Broken toys, half used pencils, a couple of shirts, a blanket, and other odds and ends littered the bottom of trunk. He was so proud pointing things out and handing me his favorite belongings! He wasn’t worried about not having any shoes on his feet because inside, yes, he had his very own Hello Kitty notebook! He was beaming with joy as he was displaying a collection of his most prized possessions. Orange Club didn’t have much, but what He did have he wanted me to be a part of – he wanted me to share in the same joy he had…and boy did I! We drew some pictures on his notebook and then cautiously organized his other belongings before secretly stowing them away. What a successful day as the dynamic duo – and we didn’t even have to chase after any bad guys. I was officially in the club – Orange Club that is.
Although India was three months ago, I couldn’t help but to reflect on Orange Club the past few weeks. The thought of possibly losing my house has actually kept me awake at night – but it wasn’t the only thing contributing to my insomnia. God was trying to tell me something – attempting to shine His light on some new places in my heart. “John, it’s just stuff,â€� He said. “A pile of wood, fiberglass, and brick. I am so much greater than these things!â€� Come on, you just HAVE to love God and His 3am sermons tailored perfectly to fit your needs. God loved me so much that He just couldn’t wait until I got up to tell me this news – He was like a kid on Christmas morning. The anticipation was killing Him! It may sound like a dramatization, but I really feel inside of my heart that God just loves to teach us, to show us new ways, and to point us back to Him. And that’s exactly what He was doing – redirecting my heart when the world was throwing me off course.
The truth is, I’ve never considered myself to be someone who places more value on my stuff than on my relationship with God. I now believe I was wrong. I’m not a big spender by any means and am pretty conservative with my money, but what I do have – what I do own – I find my comfort and security in. It’s these things I’ve taken pride in. You see, it was MY first house, it was MY pride and joy, it was MY hard work that allowed me to by it. Wait. Stop. Woah – turn this thing around! When was it ever mine? When did my hard work ever get me anything? This was God’s doings. God’s blessings. God’s stuff! Whewww, open your mouth John and enjoy a nice fat slice of humble pie!
Jesus said in Luke 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.â€� BINGO! (as if I thought Jesus was ever wrong). My heart was living for my stuff! If I could only get more, obtain more, buy more I would be better, feel better, even look better. As I was lying in bed, I couldn’t help but laugh and yet sigh at this new revelation God had given me. Orange club wasn’t full of joy because of his “stuffâ€� – he didn’t have anything to begin with! Instead, He had pure joy in his heart. The joy of sharing his belongings with his friends, opening up his secret cavern for me to see, and the satisfaction that the Lord could give Him more than a tiny box ever could. I’ve often wondered what I put more hope in – me or God. Although as intriguing, beautiful, luxurious, and comfortable our stuff can seem, it is in no way a substitute for the riches God can give us. Like Orange Club, I want to be happy even if I don’t have anything. I want to be able to completely rest on the promises of God and not waver based on my circumstances or how much stuff I have. So what if I lost my house? I’m still rich in spirit and fellowship and I wouldn’t trade that for ANYTHING.
Peter understood what it was like to leave everything behind. Matthew 5:11 “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.� I want to be that bold, to be that courageous. I want to pull my worldly boat up on shore, get out, and leave everything behind. It’s funny how God works, but after I spent much time in prayer and told Him that my house, my belongings, and my life was in His hands (even if I lost it all), I found a renter the very NEXT day!! GO GOD! I believe God was testing me…did I trust Him? Was following Him worth giving up everything? Could I be just as happy if all I had in my possession was a small trunk and a key around my neck? I sure hope so.
We called him Orange Club. A bright, funny, joyful child and a walking, talking sermon. Lelakreshna, thanks for showing me how to be humble, full of joy, and most of all thankful Thanks for showing this 28 year old that life is more than just stuff. It’s about a savior, a cross, and a relationship with Him.
Of course the other kids wanted pictures with their box as well
