Last week, I was lucky enough to catch a ride to church with my teammate, Maria, and some friends she met here in Cambodia.
We were picked up around 7:30AM, and drove 40 minutes outside Siem Reap to a fishing village where all the houses are on stilts for the service. We did worship in Khmer and the message was given in English and translated.
After church, we were invited back to their home for lunch. It was one of the best meals I’ve had on the Race: homemade chicken stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, fresh rolls and strawberry jam, and for dessert, homemade apple crisp and vanilla ice cream!
That meal was wonderful, and really made me feel at home, even all the way over in Cambodia.
The family had two young kids (although nearly 10 altogether): Alaina and Forrest.
Shortly after we arrived at their house, Alaina asked me to play a game with her, and suggested her favorites: the Memory Game and Spot It. We settled on the Memory Game, and played a long, enjoyable round of it.
She didn’t know me, but she approached me anyway. She welcomed me into her world and wanted me to share in her favorite activities, even though I was a complete stranger.
That reminded me of Matthew 18:3-4 where Jesus says, “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.”
Alaina wasn’t afraid of how approaching me might reflect on her or on me, and the possibility of rejection didn’t even cross her mind.
How wonderful life would be if we could always have this same worldview. Fearlessly chasing after what you desire and loving others, giving no thought whatsoever to what might happen if things go wrong.
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Life would certainly be a lot more interesting, whimsical, and fun.
What if I approached the people around me the way Alaina did?
What if I always invited people, no matter how well I knew them, into a relationship with Jesus Christ?
I know how important and how wonderful it is to know Jesus, but I always find myself afraid to share that with other people. What if they rejected me? What if I made a fool of myself? What if the people watching thought I was crazy?
Through a child’s eyes, these questions have no meaning and no power over us.
Will you become like a child, abandoning these worldly concerns and put your faith fully in Jesus, sharing Him with all you meet? Trust him, and He will give you the abundant, joy-filled life that He has promised you.
