<<Nothing revolves around me, why
would I ever think it does?>>
I woke up from my already terrifying dream
to a woman screaming, “HELP!” It’s not like I live in a terrible neighborhood,
but then again I have heard similar things before. My dream composed of both a
nightmare and that fantasy life I always imagine having…
I was in India shadowing a missionary. It
was as if I were already on my internship, except I knew this wasn’t what I had
in mind. It was both better than what I had in mind and absolutely horrifying.
We were ministering to these specific
children in this one community. We had established already a learning center
where children not only expressed themselves through art, but most importantly
learned about Jesus and His powerful love for them.
In my dream, we were never with more than
two students at a time. Due to this dynamic setup, we built immediate rapport.
However, due to being in India-a predominate Hindu country and full of
Christian persecution, both us and the children knew the tremendous risk of
being together. In my dream, we did have one young woman choose to leave our
organization and choose to be a young bride. We had to accept that lose and
just pray.
I was nervous and scared, but not as much I
should have been. I was more focused on unprepared I was and how I stink with
children (unless it’s my Ella Bella Boo Bear). But the children trusted me. One
even rested her head upon my shoulders.
But all of that was about to change in an
instant. All of sudden, a loud horn blew…or maybe it was my alarm…like my legit
alarm telling me it was time to get & do the homework I’ve been putting
off…Anyways, the horn drew all the community members into this stadium like set
up. Now this stadium wasn’t fancy by any means, it was built of rock and the
middle of the stadium was simply dirt & sand. In the middle also stood an
older gentlemen…actually I don’t know if I can even call him that after what he
proceeded to do…he was talking to the people angrily and called a small boy
child to the platform built in the mud. The missionary and I were just
lingering in the background, trying to pretend that we were preoccupied by
something else. I, however, caught glimpses of what was taking place just a few
yards away. The older man proceeded to make fun of the Christians and mock God
for not being the God who saves. He then pulled out a rifle and aimed it at the
young boy. I couldn’t watch.
Obviously, after a dream like that I HAD to
pray.
I don’t know what the dream meant, but I do
know one thing-as Christians here in America, we certainly don’t know what it
means to be Christian. As my Philosophy Professor says, “You think that you
know, but you don’t know.”
I am guilty as well.
Instead of being a “little Christ” as the
word Christian implies, we (and I included) sit in our cozy hovering chairs,
sipping an extra-large coke from McDonald’s, and playing on the latest IPad…and
yes, I’m most certainly comparing us to the people in Wall-E.
I asked God what that dream was about. His
answer was as plain as day:
“Will you follow me?”
The Holy Spirit then took me to Ephesians 5: 6-14, with an emphasis on verse 10.
As “Little Christs” we embody that light
scripture refers to. Will we be the light in the dark places? Especially when
all other lights go out? (sorry LOTR is a fav of mine too).
India is a place where billions upon
billions upon billions of people dwell in darkness. This darkness begins
spiritually, transcends emotionally and ruptures physically. I am not hating on
other people’s beliefs. What I do hate are lies that are captivating our
brothers and sisters in India and are keeping them in bondage. Hinduism is a
religion where thousands of deities are worshipped. On every street corner, in
every taxi or bus, you will see an idol. People are wrapped into this mentality
that an image made out of stone and clay, bedazzled with flowers and gems, will
save them. Of course these images represent that of which were presented in
ancient texts and stories. The same texts and stories that say one group of
people is better than another and that those on the bottom should always be at
the bottom. People get upset by the horrors they have heard or seen by so
called Christians, but Hinduism also has its horrors. Culture is shaped by
these lies; lies I will not hesitate to say are from Satan himself. Children
are forced into slavery and forced to be temple prostitutes. Woman being abused
by men, even burned or tortured. Elders forgotten and widows left to wonder the
streets. As Americans we may know the pain and the hunger, we may know how it
feels to live in the streets and beg, but we do not know the utter darkness
that penetrates those living in India.
If by somehow we do or have caught a
glimpse of what I just described, then why aren’t we doing something about it?
As the band Casting Crowns sings, “If we
are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why
aren’t His words not teaching?”
When I came home from another long and
frustrating day at work the other day, I came home to be greeted by Sandra’s
friend who is a prophetess. I’ve always been hesitant on when people say they
have that spiritual gift, but the New Testament does note it is a gift (now
there are some stipulations with that gift, but I will not explain them now).
She was just about the leave but had forgotten something inside; thus, giving
her and me the perfect time to meet. She boosted about how pretty I was…with my
stained uniform, messy hair and all. Then she said this over me: “You’re about
to finish school.” I agreed; for with my IDP degree I will be graduating next
December instead of in two years. She then said, “You have been greatly
blessed.” I agreed; as Sandra always notes I haven’t had to really worry about
anything, that God has made things go smoothly. Then she said, “You are
planning something after you graduate, but it will not happen. However, it is
for your good and God’s glory.” I think she was referring to the plans of
traveling around the US and doing outreach ministry with one of my friends. But
we will see.
“My ways are not your ways,” says the Lord.
“Nor are my thoughts, your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:8
Why do I tell you this?
Because despite the fact that every time I
think I am alone or messed up for good, or I went too far or this time is
somehow different-God has ALWAYS been faithful to me! He has never failed nor
will He ever! Our God, Yahweh, Jesus, is faithful and will prevail through all
and every darkness! He will set the prisoners free! He will bring justice! He
will bring restoration! He will bring peace! But our ways are not His ways and
our thoughts are not His thoughts. Thus, how He brings these things may not be
as you have planned.
I don’t have the answers as to exactly why
things happen, why there’s evil in this world and why we must fight the
darkness. But I do know that Jesus is alive and His spirit lives in those who
have surrendered their lives to Him. We have the same power that rose Jesus
from the grave in us. We can and will do more than what was told of Jesus-He
says it Himself!
- Will you let the lies of the world deceive you? Or will you be children of the Light?
- Will you find out what pleases the Lord and answer His call to make disciples of all nations? Or will you continue to live a life caught in the web of societal demands and chasing after the wind?
Jesus is for India. Jesus is for all of us. Are you with Jesus?
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