A Few Surprises

In the country for 2 hours and we were already at the Police Station. 

I spent the last week in Belize, Central America and had some brand new experiences. Adding up the years my wife and I lived there, plus the weeks we have spent doing missions trips there, we have spent quite a bit of time in Belize. But last week, going with a team from Living Streams to help with our tenth annual Belizean men’s retreat, I got a few surprises.

The first surprise came within two hours of being in country. As we drove to our accommodations, we rear-ended a car on the highway. It’s a bit complicated, but the gist of it is a car was broken down on the side of the road and the car ahead of us stopped abruptly, even though the lane was clear. Our driver didn’t see it in time. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but we had to go to the police station to make a report.

We stood outside the police station for three hours because Belize time moves at a different speed. We got to know the other car’s driver and his three medical student passengers. We shared about Jesus and our mission with them. We joked that part of our strategy was to crash into people and then they would have to listen to us talk about Jesus. They thought that was hilarious.

While waiting at the police station, we heard some yelling and we watched the policeman run out with his gun pulled. He ran to a domestic disturbance where a man with a knife was being hit by a lady with a machete. The situation came to a calm conclusion, and while we were taking a group selfie, the man came over and joined in. We got a chance to tell him how prayer might be a better option than a knife. At that point he agreed.

I had my second surprise at 1:30 a.m.. We had just finished the first night of the men’s retreat and I took a quick shower before bed. As I got out of the shower and grabbed the towel to dry my hair, I felt a sharp pain in my forehead. When I saw a big, black jungle scorpion, I realized he had been in my towel and stung me. My first reaction was a little bit like Charlie Brown after he tries to kick the ball and Lucy pulls it away. I wasn’t actually scared or angry — I was too tired for that — I was just bummed. I knew it wouldn’t be good for me to go to sleep right away so I stayed up for an hour as the poison worked its way down my face and settled in my mouth. Everything was fine, but ten hours later my tongue was still a bit tingly.

The third surprise was probably the hardest for me. We played basketball with all the men at the men’s retreat. The games were good, and it was special for many because for two years Covid protocols had kept them from being able to play basketball. The surprise came in the last game of the day. One team had been beating all the others the whole time, but my team was now beating them. For some reason the tide turned and they starting catching up. Now, I have had a lot of success on this court, but on this day I missed about five wide-open, game-winning shots. It was pitiful. In the end, the team who beat everybody all the time beat us, too. I left the court with a giant helping of Belizean-seasoned humble pie. 

Every time I go on one of these trips I get filled with gratitude for how Jesus has led my life. When I was seventeen years old I sensed Jesus speaking to my heart, asking if I wanted to do life my way or His way. I didn’t know what His way was, but I have learned that His way actually brings the most satisfaction to my heart.

It seems wild and strange to think that if I spent my life, energy and resources trying to make myself happy, I would not be nearly as happy as following God’s way. The reason for this is that Jesus knows my heart much better than I know it. He fashioned my heart. His thoughts toward me are more than the grains of sand on the seashore. He knows the difference between the wholesome desires and the unwholesome desires in my heart.  

Jesus knew how my soul would be filled by being a missionary. He knew how my soul would be filled by teaching the Bible and encouraging men. He knew what a hankering for adventure I have and how much I would love to take others on the adventure with me. He knew how my soul would be filled as I watch the Kennys and Orelles — my sons in the faith — lead and love just like Jesus does.

Oh boy, is my soul full. It is so full that a car crash, a scorpion sting, and the crushing blow to my hoop dreams cannot even make a dent. 

As Jesus comes close to you today, or even right now, to ask you how you want to make the decision before you — in your way or His way — please choose His way. He knows your heart so well and He longs to see it abundantly full. 

David

p.s. We are starting a new series on the book of Revelation this Sunday, looking at the letter to the seven churches. Make sure you come … and bring ten people with you. 😉