I am scheduled. I am detail oriented. I am planned. I am structured. I am time sensitive. I am missing the big picture.
Recently I traveled to an orphanage in Guatemala where I expected to see sorrow and fear. I could not have been more wrong. The first time we pulled up in the van kids came running from all directions with outstretched arms. By day two connections had been made and their faces would light up when they saw us come around a corner. I was amazed at how happy and content they seemed considering most of them came either from the streets or from broken families where abuse and malnourishment were rampant. After hearing some of their stories I wondered how in the world they could act so carefree and innocent. But as soon as the question entered my mind I knew the answer. God is their one true satisfaction.
Details of the past and the future are insignificant to them. They rejoice in the now. The words from John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” make up the core of these kids. After making string bracelets with one nine year old boy for a few hours, I realized that this kid who has no traditional family to grow up in understands and believes the act of being adopted into the Kingdom of God better than I ever have. Why should they concern themselves with planning or structuring their future when the Almighty Lord of all is their father?
At such a young age, the world has destructed them. But what I learned while I was there is at that same young age God has redeemed each and every one of them to a life of pure bliss. Joy is found in Him and shown through his children. So why do I stress out over the little mishaps and try to micromanage every aspect of my life? I’m not looking to the Lord for the bigger picture. Here in my American life dictated by success, I miss seeing the power of God’s redemption because I’m too focused on the specifics of the situation. I do not rejoice in my adoption as God’s child because I’m too busy trying to control daily life. I think back and I say to myself, “those kids had it right.”
On the night we said our goodbyes, my bracelet making friend embraced me like there was no tomorrow. Tears spilled over onto my face and as I let the hug end I felt joy. Joy that he knew Jesus. Joy that he had a place full of believers to care for him. Joy that he could love me and his peers so easily. Joy that God had given me the opportunity to learn so much from him.
So take a look at the big picture. Notice the beautiful redemption around you. Live like you are adopted.
