Today as I walked, prayed and listened to scriptures I was struck by my wife’s walk, under a completely different situation than my son and I walking. The hardest part about walking has been carrying the backpack of all our goods. I packed very light. I have a few light snacks. I have a solar panel which is charging my phone and computer as I walk. I have a portable water filter and only one change of clothes. The only “heavy” item is my laptop and the water I carry. I have about 6 liters of water at any given time.
When my wife walked she had nothing. No shoes, no backpack, no food, no clothes. Considering her life, you would think her life started when we were married. She has no baby pictures. No pictures of her family members who were killed. She has no souvenirs from places her family visited on vacation. She has no library of books. After she walked home from northern Cambodia not even her home was left. Everything was destroyed and her family killed. She had, quite honestly, only a few simple pairs of clothes. Even today, the only things she keeps of value are a few pieces of jewelry she keeps wrapped in a bag which she could flee with at any moment if required. It is the result of losing everything in your life. You value things differently.
When it comes down to it, I think there is only one thing that has value: LIFE.
I feel embarrassed for many news reporters who interview people in “difficult situation” (like the power went out for 5 hours) and they use terminology like it is the end of the world. Some people think you can’t live without electricity; some think it is impossible to live without McDonalds. We use adjectives which describe our situation as hopeless, yet it is far from that. Really, everything in our life is just temporal. We don’t need McDonalds or even electricity. Would your life be difficult without them? Possibly, but you can adjust. So much around us in our life, some which we depend on, is actually of little value. The only real thing we have of value is our life.
Houses, jewelry, clothes, vehicles can all be replaced. Life, however, is sacred. As long as you are alive there is hope for the future. My wife stayed alive. Though she lived many years without hope, just hoping to numb the pain of her losses, once she met Jesus she had new purpose in of life. In Jesus, she is granted ETERNAL LIFE. Jesus promised her restoration of all things lost.
Jesus prayed to the Father during the passion week, “2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” Jesus’ desire was to bring Eternal Life to people. This is the same call which God gave to us, as believers. This is the purpose which Noit lives her life. Her life is of value when she shares the love of Jesus. There is rarely a day when she doesn’t share with complete strangers and friends about how Jesus could change their lives.
Today as I walk down a long road. I find myself thinking about what has value. Nothing in my 15kg backpack has any significance for me, yet I carry it to make my life convenient. Rather, simply because I am alive is of greatest value. The only question then is what I will do with my life?
Will I spend it filling my backpack with more things, or will I spend it by helping the people I meet along the road to find life too: Eternal life in Jesus.
As soon as I get up in the morning I am eager to turn on the computer and read what you have written about the days journey you have just completed. I am always deeply touched by your heart and your words. May God continue to use this in your life and Paul’s life as He has purposed, as well as in the lives of all who read your blogs. I hope the effects of the scorpion stink is subsiding. I am praying for that, and that angels will continue to walk with you, front, behind and all around protecting you and Paul during this time. Love you!
The scorpion sting is all but gone now. I have a few numb fingers from it, but it is nothing compared with the pain in my feed and back. 🙂 We’ll be fine. Today, we feel like, we might make it! Tomorrow will be another tough day.
Awesome… what great Truth! Thank you for sharing
Steve, Ive met you in Colorado Spring, Im Margaretha’s friend from Brasil. Your blog is amazing, and all day long since Ive been reading it has made me think so much about lots of things, and this one specially is so true. Thank you so much for your words!
Poignant comment … Will we fill our back packs or will we do something of eternal value in helping people and in doing so show them the kindness of God.
Thankyou for sharing your journey.