Thursday for ministry I went with Mauren, a missionary from Costa Rica, to teach Bible class to children who live up in the mountains. Danny and Heather have said that when we go with Mauren we’ll get to see how a “real missionary” lives. I think the main thing is that she relies on the local public transportation to get around.
We got a ride to the bus station, where we caught a “taxi” to take us up the mountain. These taxis are pickup trucks with a covered-wagon style covering on the back where we sit. Mauren and Nadia sat up in the cab with the driver while Megan, Eryn and I climbed in the back with the other Panamanians heading up the mountain.
God was speaking to my heart as we bounced around in the back on our way up the mountain. I was just so happy to be there, and I couldn’t stop smiling. As Megan, Eryn and I were bouncing and laughing, I noticed that the Panamanians in the truck with us seemed so solemn and serious–even the little girl who was there with her grandmother. But each time our eyes met, and she saw my gigantic smile, she gave a shy little smile and then quickly looked away.
As I sat there, smiling and enjoying the rocky ride, I was reminded of something someone told me once. My friends and I like to visit a church in Indiana every now and then, and one time when we were there a woman told me that she can see the beauty of my spirit when I smile.
Remembering that just made me smile all the more as I contemplated Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me, Megan and Eryn. We are atmosphere changers. Because God lives in us, we change the atmosphere just by being in a place.
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? –1 Corinthians 3:16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.” –Galatians 5:22-23
“Be filled with the Spirit.” –Ephesians 5:18
After a while, I started to notice a change inside the truck. The Panamanian women started to smile and make jokes with one another, and were even laughing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not unusual to see the Panamanian people smile and laugh. But in this instance, there was a significant change in the atmosphere and I witnessed it. In spending about half an hour with three smiling, Holy Spirit-filled missionary gringas, these women who had been so somber were now smiling and laughing with us.
I was so encouraged by that taxi ride that what we are doing here on the World Race is not about us. In myself, I have nothing to offer the people of Panama (or any other country). But what I do have to offer is so much better than anything I could ever come up with on my own. It’s God’s presence. And God’s presence brings life and light and joy and peace and love and encouragement and purpose, and so much more. And one of the best parts is that I don’t have to work to conjure up something myself, because His Spirit dwells inside of me. All the time. All I have to do is go where He leads, and He does the work through me. This is the beautiful partnership we have with our God.
And if you have decided to live your life for Jesus, then His Spirit dwells inside of you as well. Be encouraged that His presence goes with you wherever you go. So, go, build the Kingdom wherever you are by letting Him love the world through you.
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” –Exodus 33:14
