Knowing how little they have, it was embarrassing when the native women saw our room. I have a larger school backpack with me, but I carried my smallest bag wherever we went. Why distance yourself from people through something silly like appearance or possessions (esp when representing Christ (we are always representing Him!)). Just by looking at our dress – plain and nothing fancy or especially nice – people at the park and other places in Nepal felt they could not relate. Appearing rich was a hindrance to them because it seemed easy for us to trust God when He had clearly blessed us. When we shared the gospel we had to point out that God doesn’t promise material wealth or prosperity. That instead we receive blessings of forgiveness, relationship, identity, peace, hope, direction, … , despite circumstances, here and now.
This was rough to say when the man I spoke with at the Leper colony, for example, had barely enough money to eat. Many people idealize the American life of easy money (much easier than how they make it!). I could preach the blessings of Christ and the hope to come, but in that instance I couldn’t just wish him well without sacrificing some of my own money. I’m not saying that because I did something good. I’m saying it because the gospel is more than words. It is also (even more?) action. I had to sacrifice something (more than a chat and time) for him to see God’s love for him. This man had a remarkable story of sacrificing his entire life to care for his elder, leprous, wheelchair-bound brother. He was punished by his Hindu religion, rejected by his family, and he lost his house and land in order to care for his brother. What LOVE! He had one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever seen.
Just before we left India, all our backpacking backpacks and day packs were waiting on the porch. The Ayahs, cooks, and cleaning women saw them and exclaimed about how much we had. Sure, we are packing for a year, to live in various cultures, but we travel with more than they own. I didn’t feel apologetic that God has blessed me richly monetarily (just from being born in America). I did feel sick realizing how much of my life “stuff” consumes. Stuff is meaningless in light of eternity. On a more basic level, I don’t even particularly like stuff, yet I still let it use up limited time I’d rather use elsewhere.
I realize I spend time sorting stuff, deciding what stuff to use, to wear, to spend time on, cleaning stuff, taking care of stuff, and generally using quite a lot of thought on stuff. I also realized that I can very happily (more happily, actually) live with Very little. And that it is worth it, to me, to narrow down items in my surroundings to the few that I actually want to use and that I most enjoy.
Every stop of this trip so far, the people are not blessed with the excess, bounty, and luxury that even lower class Americans have opportunity to indulge. I’m not saying bounty is bad. But at the same time, the communities and interactions among people out here are generally healthier than in America. Back there, individual and stuff come before community and sacrifice for others (ie Love) – unlike much of the world. They pretty much have nothing, but they are kinder and happier and have healthier relationships.
It’s counter intuitive, but I’m in the process of greatly reducing the number of possessions that are stealing my time.
Blessings!
Love, Mere
Wondering about Galatians and how being all things to all people is compatible with living under grace. Thank you for your comments and prayers! 🙂
