The laughs of children seep through our shingled walls, and tickle our ears to come and play, beckoning us to the muddy streets of Mukuru Slum. Their beautiful faces wait at the doorway with giant smiles and anticipation Walking outside you’re met with bewildered eyes and a flock of children. Beautiful clouds roll over you with the brightest blue sky I have ever seen. As I kneel down twelve hands run their tiny fingers through my now curly hair and try to climb to my shoulders. As I look into their large brown eyes they peer back with delight.
They each have a unique future in store. One that looks radically different from mine. I have this longing to protect them but know that I, in my infinitely small state have next to nothing to offer. These children who live in some of the worst conditions in the world with their community ravaged by HIV/AIDS and disease that flows through the streets by every door.
Yet they have a beautiful joy that radiates from their being.
Why?
Because joy cannot be bought! Joy is something deep in our hearts. Sometimes we try to cover our inner pain with many different things. We live in such strange competition that lets envy pollute our mind. We use our circumstances to dictate our attitudes.
For what?
I, in my ignorance couldn’t imagine how they could have joy covered in dirt and pain.
The children had now completely over taken me and I was forced to the ground where I sat on a large pile of rocks outside our shack. They continued to tug my hair while they danced and played around me.
And I started to cry…
A simple but profound realization came over me. Joy can only come from the Lord. We can try to create it in many different ways but we will always fall short as we let pride rule our lives. As children everything is beautiful. Somewhere along the way little things steal our joy, until we are left with nothing but brokenness.
I could sit there and meditate all day on these children’s circumstances or I could choose to love them as Jesus would. I could be a small piece that showed them Christ as they are thrown into a world filled with sin.
Every interaction has three outcomes. We can tear some one down, build them up, or leave them the same. The culture of hi-bye relationships had left me apathetic to a spirit of encouragement, to a life centered on love.
Life is too short for superficial relationships.
I looked up into their beautiful brown eyes. I gave them a big smile and asked them if they knew about Yesu.
On that little rock pile I started to pray that my life will radiate Jesus in all that I do. That every conversation will point someone closer to Him. That I wont let comparison steal my joy, but my hearts cry would be to always build up those around me.
