Back in the states, my friends and I love to grab a deck of cards, gather around the table, and have quality convos while playing a casual game of euchre or Kings in the corner.
I haven’t gotten as many chances as I’d like to do that here on the race, but this month we’ve had the perfect opportunity!
A few times here in Ecuador, we’ve spent some mornings at a local men’s home—aka a home for men recovering from addictions or mental illnesses. Half of us clean while the other half hang out with the men (and one woman) who live there. It’s a little tough because most of them only speak Spanish, they’re pretty reserved, and when they actually do talk to you, they speak in a barely audible mumble.
And then there’s Daniel. A 42-year old dude who speaks perfect English and loves to chat up a storm with you. I don’t exactly know what his mental illness is, but all I do know is that he is one of the most joyful people I’ve ever met! Nothing gets him down! While hanging out with him, he will most likely do one of three things: ask you any and every question, tell you a story about his past, or randomly burst into song. Also, he has no filter and it’s hilarious. (today he asked me to marry him, so that was interesting..)
Last week, I taught him and a few other guys how to play Kings in the corner. It’s crazy the convos that will come up during a casual game of cards! While we’re playing, we got on the subject of prayer. Daniel was talking about how he feels lonely sometimes and I told him that you can talk to God and that he actually listens when you talk to him! Daniel was astounded by this and practically falls out of his chair as if it’s the craziest thing he’s ever heard…
“No way!!! You actually talk to God?!? Are you sure??”
And then we proceeded to tell him that yes, indeed, you can talk to the God of the Universe, and yes, he listens and responds! We had a sweet opportunity to speak truth into Daniel and encourage him in his faith and in being a leader at the men’s home. I really feel like we broke down some walls in his heart that day!!
Then today, we once more journeyed to the men’s home, set up a table, pulled out a deck of cards, and played some Kings in the corner. More men joined today so that was cool to see! And of course Daniel was elated to see us and excited to play more cards. Early into the game, he turns to me and says, “Mikayla, what makes you the most happy?” And I looked at him and told him that I’m truly happiest when I’m spending time with God. And, once again, he leaned back so hard with the biggest laugh followed by a huge look of amazement on his face:
“What!!! Are you sure?? How can that make you happy? God isn’t even a real person….”
I love that Daniel has no filter because it really caused me to think about how crazy our faith may seem to some people. Daniel’s pure awe and wonder reminded me just how precious this gift that we have really is. The fact that we have a God who sent his own Son to earth to die on a cross so that we can live a free life…insane!!! Even more, the fact that we can talk to Him and He speaks back to us…absurd!!!
Yet somehow, as insane and absurd this is, it’s the thing that brings the most joy and the most love and the most satisfaction to my life. It’s a crazy thing that I feel most filled when I’m listening to worship music, talking to my Father, and reading His Word.
I literally can’t explain it!! Like why does that fill me???
It’s something that can only be explained by experiencing it for yourself. This indescribable, incomprehensible indwelling presence of the Lord inside of us. The fact that we can be freshly wrecked every day in the presence of The Father. And the fact that it fills us more than any earthly thing ever will. It’s truly the craziest and best thing that’s ever happened to me.
So thanks, Daniel, for reminding me of just how wild and crazy this journey with The Lord is. And for inspiring me to walk in fresh awe and wonder of that every single day.
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
[2 Corinthians 3:16-18]
