Forming a relationship with Christ is like regaining your innocence.
I had this realization while sitting behind an African child on a very long bus ride [The full account: 1 taxi ride to the bus station, 2 hours waiting to leave the parking lot, 30 minutes after leaving we have the first bus breakdown, 3 more bus breakdowns, 1 hour spent on the grass on the side of the road with all of our stuff, 1 new bus (and may I add repacking of our 60lbs bags ONTO, yes I said onto, not underneath, the bus…meaning we walked up the stairs twice with them on our backs), 1 additional breakdown on the “new” bus, 1 pee break at night that almost left us stranded in the bush, 1 overnight stay on the bus, 1 4:30 am bus transfer, and 1 taxi ride later we FINALLY arrived at our new home in Malawi. So a trip that was originally supposed to take 6 hours ended up being a very long trip…TWENTY-ONE hours long to be exact. Ironically enough, the bus company's slogan was ‘perfecting the art of travel’] As this little girl attempted to entertain herself on this long journey she began with simple tricks of the imagination. Envisioning the isle as a runway, crafting shapes and forts out of her konga (a cloth that African girls/women wrap around themselves, which makes a skirt), and the always exciting game of moving around and sitting/ laying on your seat as many ways as you can find possible. But once these simple pleasures got old, she realized there was a row of strange white folks directly behind her to keep her entertained.
She initiated our interaction with several quick glances. You know the kind where she would look at me, but as soon as I’d catch her stare, she’d duck behind the seat. She then quickly moved in boldness and began picking at my mysterious toe nail polish and playing with my anklets; unashamed if I noticed or not.
It is then that God started to talk through her. When we turn to Christ we loose our sense of shame. Our sense of embarrassment. Our sense of hesitation. Why not take a risk and really love people? Why not actually see them AND what is so scary about pointing out differences, especially if it means you can learn to understand them better?
Innocence like THAT is so beautiful.
It is pure. It is genuine. It is real. And it BRINGS FREEDOM.
Innocence is what God restores us to if we let him. He makes us new. He cleans us of our past and we can live in the freedom of a child forever.
Uninhibited. Unafraid.
I remember a time when I so desperately wanted to grow up so I could say I had “experience.” But now it’s virtue I treasure. The beauty that can come from even the smallest of gestures. Such as the excitement that comes when the man of your dreams reaches to hold your hand or kisses your forehead. I guess the best way to explain it is going back to the basics. Its beauty comes from its simplicity.
God gives us a new view of the world; to experience things in a whole new way. To see the world through a child’s eyes in all its splendor.
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. Mark 10:14-15
As our long journey was nearly at a close and the stars were the only thing we could see, the same little girl reached behind her seat to hold my hand. It had been hours since we last played together but she still reached out to meet me in such an intimate way. I relished this moment.
It reminded me of the love of the father. He is always ready to reach back and put out his hand. His love is everlasting. And like that of a child, God’s love is unconditional. Children love in such a way that isn't earned, it just is.
I had this realization while sitting behind an African child on a very long bus ride [The full account: 1 taxi ride to the bus station, 2 hours waiting to leave the parking lot, 30 minutes after leaving we have the first bus breakdown, 3 more bus breakdowns, 1 hour spent on the grass on the side of the road with all of our stuff, 1 new bus (and may I add repacking of our 60lbs bags ONTO, yes I said onto, not underneath, the bus…meaning we walked up the stairs twice with them on our backs), 1 additional breakdown on the “new” bus, 1 pee break at night that almost left us stranded in the bush, 1 overnight stay on the bus, 1 4:30 am bus transfer, and 1 taxi ride later we FINALLY arrived at our new home in Malawi. So a trip that was originally supposed to take 6 hours ended up being a very long trip…TWENTY-ONE hours long to be exact. Ironically enough, the bus company's slogan was ‘perfecting the art of travel’] As this little girl attempted to entertain herself on this long journey she began with simple tricks of the imagination. Envisioning the isle as a runway, crafting shapes and forts out of her konga (a cloth that African girls/women wrap around themselves, which makes a skirt), and the always exciting game of moving around and sitting/ laying on your seat as many ways as you can find possible. But once these simple pleasures got old, she realized there was a row of strange white folks directly behind her to keep her entertained.
She initiated our interaction with several quick glances. You know the kind where she would look at me, but as soon as I’d catch her stare, she’d duck behind the seat. She then quickly moved in boldness and began picking at my mysterious toe nail polish and playing with my anklets; unashamed if I noticed or not.
It is then that God started to talk through her. When we turn to Christ we loose our sense of shame. Our sense of embarrassment. Our sense of hesitation. Why not take a risk and really love people? Why not actually see them AND what is so scary about pointing out differences, especially if it means you can learn to understand them better?
Innocence like THAT is so beautiful.
It is pure. It is genuine. It is real. And it BRINGS FREEDOM.
Innocence is what God restores us to if we let him. He makes us new. He cleans us of our past and we can live in the freedom of a child forever.
Uninhibited. Unafraid.
I remember a time when I so desperately wanted to grow up so I could say I had “experience.” But now it’s virtue I treasure. The beauty that can come from even the smallest of gestures. Such as the excitement that comes when the man of your dreams reaches to hold your hand or kisses your forehead. I guess the best way to explain it is going back to the basics. Its beauty comes from its simplicity.
God gives us a new view of the world; to experience things in a whole new way. To see the world through a child’s eyes in all its splendor.
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. Mark 10:14-15
As our long journey was nearly at a close and the stars were the only thing we could see, the same little girl reached behind her seat to hold my hand. It had been hours since we last played together but she still reached out to meet me in such an intimate way. I relished this moment.
It reminded me of the love of the father. He is always ready to reach back and put out his hand. His love is everlasting. And like that of a child, God’s love is unconditional. Children love in such a way that isn't earned, it just is.
It’s overflowing. Overwhelming. And in abundance.
This month marks a new phase in my World Race journey. For the first time on the race I am not a team leader. My Daddy is calling me away with him, on my own, to hold his hand. To call out the small things that make me beautiful and make sure I know them. To dance with me under the stars, to show me the sunrise on the water, to swim with me in the Bay, and to even speak to me during a long bus ride.
here's to seeing the world like a child…in all its innocence!
