God has been showing me something this month, something I really plan on taking with me for the rest of the race and beyond. It all started out in October, at
the World Race media seminar.
I don’t remember the names of the people who spoke, and I
don’t remember their specific words.
I already know the power of media (specifically images and videos) to
change people’s thinking or to instill ideas. The main message I took from the media seminar is this:
Use your power to show people what God sees.
When given the choice, show the orphan smiling and laughing, not with that piercing stare with flies on their face. When God created that child, do you think that he wanted people to look at them and only see sadness? Tell the story of the church that has increased tenfold in two years, not of a robbing that cost them thousands of dollars. Do you think God would rather you feel sorry for them than ecstatic that thousands are finding new life through his glorious name?
While working here in a poor country and with disabled
children, it would be so easy to show pictures and tell stories of poverty, of
sadness, of Satan’s triumph. But I’ve learned that I don’t want to show you someone unless I show them in their very best light. I don’t want to publish photos of someone staring blankly into the distance when in reality they have a smile that fills my heart.
For instance, let’s talk about Helen. I could tell you that…
Helen is one of seven (I think) children. Her family loves her but when she was very
small she had severe heart problems.
Her parents tried very hard to get a doctor to see her (meaning walking several hours to a hospital while someone had to watch the rest of the
children) just to get turned away from doctors who said there was “no cure� for
her ailment, because all they saw was a little girl with Down’s Syndrome. She was very weak and frail when was
taken in by Maureen Casey, and wiping her little bottom made her thin skin come
right off. Poor Helen. What a miracle she is even alive…
OR
I could tell you that Helen is an extremely happy, caring
ten year old girl. God miraculously healed her heart- a surgery was scheduled but later a secular doctor said that she didn’t need it anymore, somehow it was all better. Praise God! She runs out of
the house most mornings screaming “HOLA!!!!!!� with her arms outstretched,
ready to be scooped up into a big hug.
She has very good table manners and is quite obedient. She’s such a little helper, washing dishes and carrying groceries inside. She’s also great with the other kids- helping get their shoes for them, and sometimes
just sitting next to the ones that are immobile so they aren’t by themselves. She also loves ballet class and is very
flexible- she can put her feet behind her head! Helen is truly a joy to be around. She brings a smile to all of our faces, whether she is laughing, smiling, talking, giving kisses, making funny noises, clapping, singing, dancing, jumping, or just being the amazing child that God created her to be.
Bravo Helen!!
I know that there are stories of tragedy, of sadness, of poverty and inequality. I don’t want people to think that there are no problems in the world and therefore no reason to work toward solutions. However, when given the chance, I want to tell stories of happiness, of blessings, and of triumph. When looking at a person or a situation, I want to see what God sees.
