It’s been a while since I wrote a blog. I know. And I’m sorry. Wifi hasn’t been easy to access this pass month. But the bright side of this is that I have a new blog for you to read! And it actually starts right….now.
Before I left for the Race, my church gave me one of the coolest gifts (besides the weight) that a racer could receive before their journey. They gave me two bags that were carrying 11 stones. 11 stones for 11 countries – each written with a different scripture. When I received these stones, I was told by my pastor that the written scripture was supposed to be prayed over the country I was visiting. And at the end of the month, I was to plant the stone in the country’s soil.
I’m in Bolivia this month and the scripture for this month’s stone is Matthew 25:40. “Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.’” When I first read this verse on my way (by bus on Death Road mind you) to the new ministry site for this month, I wasn’t really surprised. I thought to myself “That’s great Jesus but I already know this and nothing new is standing out to me”. It wasn’t long after I arrived to the orphanage that we were to work at when God grabbed my attention so sweetly.
The night after my team and I arrived, we were invited to a fútbol game where several boys of the orphanage play. So we headed into town – the only proof that shows there’s civilization in the actual jungle we were living in. There we were, about 30 people packed onto the bus, full of younger kids, smelly teenage boys, and a group of “gringas”. As I sat next to several giddy little girls, I began to pray over the kids and the orphanage. I’ve learned that when you can’t speak the local language or when your conversation has gone as far as it can, then it’s time to pray. As I sat there thanking God for the upcoming weeks I was to have with these kids, he whispered to me. He said, “Pray Matthew 25:40 over these kids Cicily”. I thought, “God you and I just talked about this scripture a day ago and I’ve already prayed it!!”. But like most times, He won the fight over my crazy reasoning and I began to pray. On the bus ride I began to see that it’s not just about me “doing unto Jesus” when I help the one overlooked or ignored. It’s also about me encouraging the one who’s overlooked to encourage another and to let them know they are doing it for the King. It’s not just about learning the ways of Jesus, but to teach those ways also. And what an opportunity I’ve had to live that out this month!!!
After a while of praying, the Needtobreathe song “Brother” came on. Although these kids don’t know English they knew this song by heart. And so they sang the precious words out: Brother let me be your shelter, I’ll never you leave you alone, I can be the one you call, when you’re low. In that moment I stopped praying and just sat there listening. If you were to hear about 30 orphans scream out those lyrics you’d feel the power from their voices. God confirmed in what He was asking me on the bus. He was telling me to not just look at these kids as overlooked and ignored who need my help, but to see they’re empowered just like I am. They have the key to heaven just like I do. And they too can call out to the one overlooked and say, “Brother let me be your shelter”.
So I encourage you to pray Matthew 25:40 over Bolivia, your life, and yourself. And the next time you see someone overlooked or ignored, be reminded that Jesus came to empower them as well. He’s just waiting for us to tell that person what their potential is.
