Deciding to leave everything that I know behind was a big step of faith for me. Leaving behind my friends and family, relationships and school, everything that I know to pursue the unknown was a tough decision. It was hard for me to let go of everything that I wanted to pursue what God wants but that’s what faith is right? I wanted to step out in faith and obedience to follow Christ wherever He would lead me. I felt really good about myself when I made this decision. God gave me a since of peace in knowing that He is in control and has everything figured out even if I have no idea. It felt good to step out in faith. All of my friends and family and church family encouraged me of my amazing faith to step out into the unknown especially for being so young. I was proud that I was able to have so much faith, but soon after leaving I realized what little faith that I actually had!
In Thailand God spoke to me a lot about childlike faith. He spoke to me so much through one song that I decided to post a whole blog about it. I apparently have more to learn because He has continued to bring up the subject even into Cambodia. In this blog I want to talk about how He used a child to teach his teacher about our Father!
In Cambodia we lived in a small little fenced in area in a small village. Every day, we taught English to students in little bamboo shelters where we lived, and in a public school a short distance away. We lived with some interns who were our translators, and a few boys who lived there so that they can study. Shortly after we first got there, before I knew anyone’s name, we had worship outside in the yard. As I was praying that God would help me through this month and use me however He wanted, I notice one of the students who lived with us sitting on the ground praying by himself. He was praying out loud with such passion. Even though I couldn’t understand a word he was praying because he was speaking in Khmer, I could sense his faith. What amazed me most was the fact that he was talking just like he was talking to someone sitting right in front of him. He looked like he was having a deep heart to heart talk with a friend who he could see. I went over to sit by him and ask him what he is praying for and if I could pray for him. He said that he really wants his parents to know Jesus so they can follow him too. He is the only Christian in his family, but he doesn’t live at home. I asked if I could pray for him but couldn’t help but think that that his prayer would definitely be heard before mine would.
How often do we find ourselves talking to God like he is super far away? Sometimes I feel like I am sending a letter when I pray and maybe sometime in the near future he would get it and write me a reply. But this boy, Eddy, knew that Jesus knows him and knew that his prayer was going to be heard and God was going to answer. I was put in my place by a 14 year old. I say that I believe that God is always with me, but I pray like I’m sending him an email. I know that there is nothing that God cannot do but I limit Him by not stepping out in deeper faith.
Think of a child. What are characteristics that we sometimes see as a negative quality, that maybe we should take another look at?
1. 1. A child is able to believe anything without question. If you tell a child that the moon is made of cheese than he/she wants to taste it. We can look at this trait as being gullible or naive but sometimes we need that. It’s a trait we should have about the world being created in 6 days, or a man being able to live for 3 days in the belly of a fish, or even a paralyzed man being able to get up and walk by speaking the words. I know I am not the only one who has a problem with that sometimes.
2. 2. Look at how a child accepts gifts vs. how adults do it. You give a child a dollar and he says thank you and accepts. You give something to an adult and they either have to give you something of equal or greater value, or they immediately think on how they are going to pay you back. There is no way that we can pay God back for what He has done for us. No matter what you do, it is nothing compared to what He deserves. Don’t serve God because you are indebted to Him. Serve Him because He wants you and has chosen you, and He wants to bless you. God has forgiven our debts; we need to forgive them as well. Forgive others and forgive yourself.
3. 3. A child will follow his/her father and listen to what He says. If a child is walking with his/her father should they run away? No because they will get lost and not be able to find their way. We should walk hand in hand with our Father wherever He leads and He will protect us.
