In the past week and a half, I have spend 100 hours on a bus, been sick, got stuck in the Chilean dessert for 13 hours, visited Machu Picchu, and I have now arrived in Pacasmayo, Peru.
It was a rough past couple of weeks, but there were some really great times in the midst of all that.
At debrief, we had a time where we were going to do ATL (ask the Lord)
I was honestly dreading it. The last time we did it, we ended up at a church with a Romanian pastor low key hitting on me.
Before we left, I prayed that God would soften my heart and use me however he needed. During our time out, I learned that Ask The Lord is just seeing people, loving them, and sharing.
My group prayed, got some images, and went out.
After walking a bit, we came upon a man crawling along the sidewalk. His legs were tied to almost shin pad things to protect his legs as he dragged them. His hands were bound to wood pieces to protect them as he pulled himself along the sidewalk.
As we approached, all we could see was his small body, face down on the ground. My friend suggested we talk to him. I didn’t know what to say or what to do, and then I realized that I was the only one who knew Spanish so I better figure it out since I would be doing the talking.
All four of us knelt down next to him. We asked him how he was. We told him why we were in Peru, and explained that we are missionaries. We found out that he is a Christian and has attended seminary.
When we asked him if we could pray for him, he told us we could, but once we returned to the hotel. He kept saying hotel over and over as if I didn’t know the word, even though that’s one world that is the same in English.
I inquired as to why, to which he replied, “the Christians pray in their houses behind closed doors in secret, and God hears them.”
We assured him we would pray for him when we returned. Then we asked what we could pray for. Obviously we all expected that this man who dragged himself along the street would ask for healing for his legs. But no. This is what he said: Sabiduria y un mejor conocimiento de la Biblia.
Wisdom and a better knowledge of the Bible
This man who crawls on the ground each day asked that we pray that God would give him wisdom and a better knowledge of the Bible.
Then he quoted this verse: primero, busqua la reina de Dios.
Seek first the kingdom of God
My friend, Joel, asked me to tell him that his faith was beautiful.
When I told him, his face lit up. It was one of the strongest, most genuine, beautiful smiles I’ve ever seen, and I will never for get it. I will never forget this man that walks in more faith, humility, and wisdom than I thought possible.
May we all seek first the kingdom of God before our present desires or needs.
Whether you have to pull yourself on your hands and knees, are struggling to pay the bills, don’t know what to do with your life,
Or whatever it may be, seek first the kingdom of God. Ask for wisdom. Ask for a better understanding of the Bible. Ask for help. Trust Gods plan.
I don’t know about you but when I have the slightest ailment, I am immediately praying for healing. This week I had pink eye and every night I would place my hands on my eyes and pray for healing.
I’m not saying it would have been wrong for this man to ask for healing, not at all! I think that is totally appropriate. I think it is a good thing when we ask for healing, we are called to present out requests to God.
But what is so amazing is that his disability is not in the forefront of his mind.
He does not dwell on his situation, he seeks first the kingdom.
May our hope be greater than our happiness. In the times when we feel sorry for ourselves, may we redirect our sight to seeking first the kingdom. May we look to the things above first.
When we focus on our savior and the promises he has for his children, everything changes.
