This past semester, I had the opportunity to travel to both Nicaragua and Honduras. Both countries allowed me to experience so many new things. But what I was most eager about was escaping this dangerous place we like to call our "comfort zone." I realized that traveling to a new country is a lot like reading the next chapter in a book. It's related to what you already know, but it's refreshing. It's captivating. Just like a new chapter draws you in to keep reading, a new country draws you in to keep living.
When reflecting on my time spent in Honduras, this 6-year-old boy named Isac kept coming to mind. The first time I met Isac was at a local church in Campamento. I had sat my backpack beside a chair upon arriving and had walked around to meet some of the church elders with the rest of the team. As church was starting, I walked over to grab my bag and stand in the back because all of the seats were full. But when Isac saw me, he gently got up and motioned for me to sit beside his mom and he would stand during the service. Despite the language barrier, I saw this kid's heart. I saw the selflessness. I tried to get him to sit down instead, but he insisted because I was a guest. I scooped him up to sit in my lap, and we spend the whole service singing praises to and worshipping our Heavenly Father. After the service, I gave him my notebook, a pen, and a rubber band. It was all I had with me, but I wanted to show him that he had left an impact on my heart. His eyes lit up, not at the gifts, but because we both knew we were meant to be friends. I said goodbye to my new friend, with tears forming in my eyes. But little did I know that the Lord wasn't done yet.
The next 4 days were such a gift. Every chance I got to hang out with this kid, I saw more of the depth of God's love for His people. That night, the day care we were staying at hosted a cook-out for the youth. I walked into the room and all of a sudden, I see a little boy running towards me with the biggest smile. I quickly realized who it was because of the little blue rubber band on his wrist. He jumped into my arms and gave me the best hug. Soon after, the kids lined up to get some food, and I was right beside Isac, per his request. When he sat down with his food, the first thing he did was try to give me some. I tried to tell him it was all for him, but he wanted to make sure I was going to get to eat. After everyone had gotten some food, they called for seconds, and Isac (and I) were not far behind. He received the food from each person serving with such gratitude. And when we sat down, I noticed he wasn't eating. I (tried to) ask why, and with the help of my friend translating, I learned that he had gotten that food to take home to his parents. And it was then, I was humbled beyond words. A six-year-old who rarely has enough to eat for himself considered the needs of his parents above seeking his own comfort.
That night I saw how selfless and loving God our Father is, and by His grace, how selfless and loving His children are.
As Christ followers, we were made new in order to reflect different aspects of His character. It was once described to me that God is like a precious jewel with many facets. By simply existing, God reflects light in every direction. Like a jewel, God's many facets allow light to shine everywhere, leaving no place in darkness. Each of us are like a facet, reflecting here on earth the beautiful nature of the all powerful God in Heaven. His children inhabit all parts of this world; therefore, His light is shining everywhere. We just miss it sometimes. We may have our eyes closed or we may be so distracted by other things in this world that we completely miss the light shining all around us. But God opens our eyes. His love displayed here on earth is eye-catching. God made this child's light of selflessness evident. Isac, a 6 year old from a third world country, taught me more about life through his actions than the most eloquent speaker known to man ever could.
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" -Matthew 18:1-4How beautiful is the way Jesus lovingly corrects us and points us back to truth. How simple is the message Jesus proclaims. We are called to humble ourselves so that we may value others above ourselves. We are called to love.
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