A smile
This month, in my time spent with the Lord, the surface has been scratched on a few different really large concepts. I’ve been learning about trust, and caring for others, and how the two go hand-in-hand. I’ve been learning about accountability, and how to do it well. I’ve been learning about humility, and the concept of thinking of myself less, instead of thinking less of myself.
Because of this month’s flexible schedule, I’ve had the blessing of being less rushed most mornings. I’ve been going through Joshua and Judges, as well as 1st and 2nd Corinthians. I’ve also been reading through “Ruthless Trust” by Brennan Manning. As we’re coming up on the end of the month, I’ve caught my petty mind thinking about what an individual’s life would look like, if they were to have a solid, mature grasp on walking in trust, humility, and accountability.
What an impact that life would have!
How classy and mature that would surely look!
I can start to put together this image of a combination of a few of the people I really look up to in my life, all rolled into a “perfect” individual.
On the 8 hour bus ride from Ghanzi to Gaborone, I sat next to a pretty little girl and her Mother. Part way through the ride, I looked the little girl in the eyes and smiled, and then I saw it.
Her smile.
It was one of those snapshots that you just know will stick in your mind forever. Her smile was so clean, so pure – it said so much. And it was just what I had been looking for. She layed there on her mom’s lap, resting in complete and total trust. Not jaded by years of being let-down and dissapointed by others. Not constantly over-analyzing relationships and calculating what areas she could trust an individual in, and what areas to stay closed off in. But just resting in a pure trust, trusting her mom completely, trusting a stranger enough to boldly return his smile.
And the humility. So much of humility is being present, recognizing in honesty where we are presently. And upon being honest with ourselves, coming to the realization that we are seriously in need of a Saviour, and in need of others, and the pieces of Christ’s character that they bring to our lives. This pretty little girl didn’t have the years of built-up self-confidence, arrogance and independence that I wrestle with. Suddenly, Matthew 18:1-5 becaming incredibly vivid.
“At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you wil never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Turns out, the picture I’d been trying to put together of the ultimate kingdom representative was totally wrong. It was sitting right in front of me. And her smile was beautiful.
