When I was a little girl and a young teenager, I used to tell my friends that the secret to being happy all the time was not to just focus on the positive things, but to see the positives in all things. I wrote that short phrase on many birthday cards and Instant Messenger conversations. It was my life motto:
“No es ver sólo lo positivo, es verle lo positivo a las cosas”.
On my team, the Joy Bombs, we constantly remind each other to choose joy in all situations –it’s a part of what defines us.
A few days ago, our ministry host in Costa Rica sat down with us and told us that in life and on the World Race we have two choices. We can either choose to focus on the challenges and hardships that we see and experience, or we can choose to see God’s majesty through it all. Joy is a choice, and seeing God is a choice.
This month we are living in Costa Rica’s capital, San José. But we are not living a comfortable city life in the middle of shops and traffic and that busy city sound; we are in the slums. Our ministry is to the people of Los Guido, La Carpio, and Tejarcillos –San José’s most dangerous slums. While most people might see these towns as places that God has forgotten, we see His majesty shining through the streets.
I could focus on how families might not have enough money to provide food for their kids… but I see God providing a daily feeding center so the children can have a hot meal.
I could focus on a woman who lives in a tin house half the size of the kitchen she works in… but I see her serving children every day with a smile, I see her joyfully standing up and leading women’s devotionals, I see God providing her with a community, and a team of missionaries some years ago that were able to fix her house and prevent it from being eaten away by open sewage.
I could focus on the young girl whose family abuses her and then hides her whenever the police try to take her away… but I see God in her unfading smile, I see God when she stands up on stage with us and makes us sing Set Fire To The Rain three times in a row with paintbrushes as microphones, and I feel God’s warmth in every hug she gives us and every celebration and accomplishment she shares with our teams.
I could focus on two sisters whose family has been stained by murder and loss… but I see God giving them the strength to stand up in their pain and continue serving on the worship team, I see God’s love in their commitment and love for others, and I see Him healing the hurts of their pasts.
Los Guido is a place that most people avoid –especially at night. But this is our home this month, and we see God’s majesty in every street, in every person, in every hurt. He has not forgotten His people –He never does! He loves this place and so do I. The people are humble and loving. They are strong. They persevere. I know God is giving them hope for Greater things, and I know God is growing their Eternal perspective.
I greet each person with joy and I know God has shined through when a person who was serious walks away with a smile. How can I not choose His majesty? It’s all around me!
I invite you to choose to see His majesty as well, because wherever you are, it is right there. You just have to choose to see it.
