When I think about my life and picture what I want to achieve, in the short time that I have on this earth, only one word comes to mind, change. Why does that seem so feasible and still so impossible?
There are two ways I like to look at this, the first is small changes. There are a lot of little things I can do throughout my life to change and impact people that are close to me. Most of the time they tend to be the easier things such as, take out the trash for my parents when it’s full, invest in the life of my siblings, and pursue genuine and life fulfilling friendships, etc.
Then, there are big changes, shocking I know, these tend to be harder, have more risk involved, come from God, and scare us so badly that a lot of of us miss the opportunity as they come. Examples of this are: throwing tea into a harbor, demanding the right to vote no matter your gender, and daring to have a dream and share it with the world.
These are two identical things on completely different scales. Right now, where I’m at in my life, I am getting a lot of small changing opportunities handed to me. This means I get to serve my team by picking up dishes after a meal, being open and honest with them about past and current struggles, and continually fighting to further the relationship I have with them. This is where God starts everyone, in the same place, on the same ground. This is also where a lot of people stay, either not knowing how to start the upward climb or too afraid of failing therefore never starting. They stay in the “small changes” zone. This is evident in Luke 16:10,
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (NIV).
Therefore, as you continue to be trustworthy in the “small changes” opportunities, God will then provide “big changes” opportunities.
Now, why am I thinking about any of this and how does it relate to anything I’m currently doing here in Thailand? What a great question and I’m so glad you asked!
The answer is Avis.
Avis is the founder and director of Nikki’s Place/Agape Home, an orphanage for Thai children with or directly affected by HIV/AIDS. She is the most driven and passionate individual I have ever met. There are very few people that I have had the pleasure of meeting who knew what their passion was so early in their life. Who have chased after that passion with such love and purpose. Who didn’t let any obstacles that got in their way stop them from God’s plan for their life. Who RECOGNIZED when God gave them a plan.
This doesn’t mean that what she did was easy or came about in a short amount of time. She has been in Thailand for decades following God’s plan for her. The amazing things that God has done in her life also came along with a lot of difficult choices that had to be made. Avis continually followed through with what God asked of her even when it seemed so hard. Being able to meet Avis and get to serve at her orphanage has impacted me in ways I never realized were even possible
Looking at her I see someone who I aspire to be. She decided a long time ago to be faithful in the little things. Not only has she impacted the kids in the orphanage, but even the Thai Staff, who have began accepting Christ. Countless World Race teams have been there before us, and the many more to come have been encouraged through her. The way Avis has taken her faith and lived it out in a tangible way is something you don’t see a lot in today’s world and is something I strive for in my own life.
As I sit here and write this I think about all the small changes opportunities God has given me and I’ve been able to take advantage of. I’m in a hostel in the middle of Chiang Mai, Thailand being able to share my faith and the love of God in a tangible way. I look around at the people I am fortunate enough to be able to live in and do community with. I think about all the people back home (YOU!) who donated in order to help me share the gospel to the people here and the many more to come. I can clearly see where God has been active throughout my life. When looking back on my past I can see where I have been truly blessed. He has helped me learn to love and appreciate the people in my life and not take them for granted.
This is what has been on my heart for the past two weeks. How can I see and be faithful in the small changes as they come in order to see and be faithful in the big changes when they come?
THANK YOU FOR READING, hope you enjoyed my semi jumbled thoughts from the past two weeks.
Things that my team and I have done so far,
- Sanded and painted tables and an ENTIRE playground.
- Started to develop a bond that can only be explained by God.
- Been given the opportunity to love on kids at Agape everyday after sanding and painting.
- Continued to explore Chiang Mai and everything it has to offer.
- Almost all of us have successfully written and posted a blog while in Thailand!!
– cjshiner.theworldrace.org
– justinshaner.theworldrace.org
– landonmullins.theworldrace.org
– bentaylor.theworldrace.org
– tikkimartinez.theworldrace.org
– zachtrest.theworldrace.org
