We recently left Vietnam. What an incredible country with truly beautiful people. We had a great time making Vietnamese friends through a coffee shop we were partnering with. We also had the opportunity to walk around at night in the midst of hopelessness. The red light district. It was heartbreaking. To see foreigners scattering the streets partnered with Vietnamese young woman. When unaware of what is happening, its hard to see but once you see it, it’s hard not to notice. The area was filled with tourists from all over the world and are blind to it because they are there on vacation. And some of them encourage it by engaging with it. Buying a woman for a night to fill some kind of void. As I walked the streets, I found myself judging them, like “what the heck, are you blind? How could you do that?” But then I realized, these people are trying to fill a void only Jesus can fill. Whether you are the prostitute, the white man, or the young tourist looking for a good time… I can’t help but think there is something missing in their hearts.
That was me once.
In high school and college I tried to fill myself with everything besides The Lord. In a relationship. In alcohol. In appearance. My value was determined on if the boy called, if I was thin enough, and what other people thought of me. I spent too many nights feeling hopelessly alone. But, I believe this was because I was trying so hard to find worth in things that don’t last. I saw it everywhere in Vietnam. Whether it’s the woman working as a prostitute or the white man looking for satisfaction in buying a woman for the night. They have to want more, I believe deep in their souls, they long for more.
The great thing is, the thing our souls long for is sitting at our feet! Jesus. He is pretty amazing and completely changed my life. I no longer need to search for affirmation in people or things, I have found the one thing that will fill my void. I have been learning on this Race more and more how much I need Jesus. He is the only thing that will bring hope to this world we are a part of. We don’t have to occupy ourselves and our hearts with meaningless, temporary stuff to feel a little better. Jesus died for us and invites us on a journey with Him. And let me tell you, the journey I have had with Him has been the most challenging, amazing, beautiful journey I have ever been on.
When our hearts are filled by Jesus, we get to be filled with hope and share the love with others!
Megan 🙂
