You’re in a box. This box is only slightly larger than you. Large enough to move around a bit, but still, it’s confining. The box is dark and your breathe echoes off of its walls. Your hands search for a lid to let you out. Because beyond the walls of the box, there are flowers and wildlife and beautiful people. Beyond the walls of the box there is freedom. But where is the lid? Why can’t you find it? What will it be like to live your entire life in this dark, hollow, confining box?
In a perfect scenario, I would be in Vietnam taking in its undeniable beauty. I would be enjoying the food and diving deep into its history. I would be in the mountains tucked away in my own little world.
Instead I feel trapped in a box. Inside my box, there are people committing suicide because they feel it’s the only option they have. There are men trying to purchase my teammates for the night. There is a prostitute waiting outside a temple, trying her best to gain a customer. There is alcohol. There is depression. There is an idol of Buddha. The smell of incense mixed with cigarette smoke is unavoidable. It’s suffocating.
Why the heck can’t I find the handle? I want out.
I want the joy I had before this box overtook me. I thought the joy would always be with me. I think it still is but why can’t I find it. Why does it leave me when I leave the doors of my hostel?
Freedom does not exist in the box. In the box I am told, no clapping in worship. I am told Dad can only be existent on the propety of His house. But I want Him everywhere. Not allowed in the box.
I look around and I see the lid. I feel the breeze from outside of the box and I make my way forward. As I walk, there are people around me. Thousands and thousands of people. I wish they would come with me to the lid,but they act like it’s not even there. They light their incense and bow before their idols.
Outside of the box, I wish I could tell them, awaits a Dad who needs no offerings to offer you His love. It is freely given. You just have to accept it.
But how do you do that in the box?
please keep our teams in your pr-yer as we work to show people, without telling them, about the goodness found when living outside of the box.
