An excerpt from my journal on January 24, 2016:
“Sometimes I don’t believe that it all really matters. That some things, some moments, some interactions are insignificant. What’s the point?
I need to step into a place of understanding that EVERYTHING has an ETERNAL impact. I need THAT kind of BELIEF. Every WORD, every SMILE, every ACTION and INACTION. It’s all a reflection of my belief – or lack thereof… DO I BELIEVE IT ALL MATTERS?”
Hebrews 3:12 had hit me hard.
“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.”
I realized in that moment that to walk out our lives with the knowledge of God’s sovereignty – of His ability to make all things work for good – is a gift. And to believe anything less than that – that everything matters – was to miss that gift completely. To miss Him and His heart completely.
Lord, show me what I’m missing. Help me to see how it all matters. What does my being here mean in the grand scheme of things? How much meaningful difference can a Christian volunteer make in the life of a refugee during a short interaction?
The very next evening, He answered.
Our team was hosting a prayer and worship night for any and all volunteers who wished to join. The Body was gathered here in the form of volunteers from all over the world – to share stories and testimonies, lift each other up in prayer and be filled by spending dedicated time in the Lord’s presence.
During a time when testimonies were being shared, one lady stood up and said she wanted to encourage the volunteers who were here. She was from a YWAM base in Germany and she had seen the “other” side of the crisis – what happened to the refugees once they made it to wherever they were going. She told us stories of refugees accepting Christ and being baptized – because of the various people they had met along the journey and the interactions they had. They had never felt such love. They wanted to know where it came from.
“Be encouraged,” she said. “The work you are doing matters. We are seeing a harvest from the seeds you are sowing.”
I’d like to finish this blog with a quick story of how God amazed me with His goodness at the end of my trip.
During my first couple of days in Lesvos, I spent my time working at a Family Community Center in Mytilene. It’s purpose was to offer families a place of refuge – where the parents could rest, the kids could play, everyone could stay dry and warm – while they waited for the night ferry to Athens. I spent the better part of those two days with a family from Lebanon. The dad and his brother were being recruited by Hezbollah – so they all left, including his wife and three children (ages 5, 4, and 7 months). During our time together, they told us about Hezbollah (pantomiming since they didn’t speak English) and showed us a video of their journey on the boat from earlier the previous day. They also bought my teammate’s and my lunch (traditional Lebanese food and a Coke) to express their gratitude. I accidentally tickled the 4-year old boy until he threw up. And on the second day, we said our goodbyes as they left to catch their ferry to Athens. I hoped and prayed that they would make it safely and that they would thrive in their new lives.
A week and a half later, I was in Athens on my way to have dinner with our group. Standing in front of a set of doors on the subway, I was waiting to get to our stop. When the doors opened, to my shock and surprise and delight, the first two people I saw walking onto the train were the dad and brother from the Community Center! I shouted their names and we greeted each other as friends. It was truly a gift from God. Of all the trains and all the stations, of all the doors for me to be standing in front of – they walked through MY door, on MY train. It’s a mathematical miracle! And I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to see them again – one more time. I don’t know exactly where they will end up or what their lives will look like – but I have belief that that encounter means something. As does each and every one, every day of my life.
For His Glory,
Nat
