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I set out to go abroad with a goal in mind to learn how people different than me think and live and process life. And I guess, in a way, I’m still achieving that goal. We all are.
As we watch our schools close down, Syria has been struggling with the uncertainty of decisions to close their schools since at least 2011 with the civil war that continues to tear their communities apart.
As we try and navigate lockdown, Kashmir has been on a security and communication lockdown since August 2019 in an attempt to stifle protests. (Not to mention the just general unrest and turmoil that has been prevalent with these people since 1947)
As we wonder if we stocked up enough food, Central African Republic wonders where they'll get their next meal, as much of their population is displaced. (Sadly again as a result of internal conflict and turmoil)
As we miss our favorite restaurants and coffeeshops, Yemen, again, political unrest, has been living in uncertainty and sudden closures since 2011 as a result of an attempted political transition.
I guess I type this out to bring some perspective to our current situation. And of course, these situations are a lot more complicated than the one sentence I gave them. They are a culmination of years of conflict and unrest and ultimately fights for basic human freedoms. (The majority of them so tightly wound in disagreements and unrest that I don't even truly understand them.)
This is not to diminish our losses in any way. This is hard. Especially because it's so sudden. I woke up this morning quite sad, and grabbed my authentic Bordeaux colored beret to sit atop my head. Yes. I bought an authentic Lauhlère beret.
But even just saying that I'm so thankful. So thankful not only for the 10 or so weeks I had in Paris, but now the safe, comfortable family and bed and food to welcome me home. (Albeit a little early.)
You don’t necessarily have to go abroad to understand someone different than you, though it is a really cool and challenging way to achieve that goal. It’s mentally putting yourself in their shoes, in their situation, in their mindset, and then questioning what that would be like. Now we get a little taste of the day-to-day life of so many countries and peoples: wondering what the next day looks like, when we'll be let out again, when life will return to "normal." And thankfully for the majority of us, we do know what the next day looks like: waking up, trying to go to school online, eating a nice meal, maybe learning a new song on the guitar, and then going to bed. (Oh right. And all the Netflix.)
I believe that the Lord is asking us all to take a look at our idols of expectation and certainty. In a way, nothing in life is totally "guaranteed." (Except a beautiful life with Jesus!)
Today, Wednesday 25 March 2020, I was planning and expecting on going to my three morning classes, then have a nice afternoon at the Musée d'Orsay, then go to a Jazz Club after dinner. And do my homework in there too, don't worry.
But I'm at home, watching videos of my French courses because the time change. Trying to keep up with all the cool things I had the opportunity to learn, but sad that I'm no longer on the ground to explore those new and interesting subjects. We're all home, (I hope!) trying to figure out how to keep a sense of stability while also recognizing that no one is totally stable or sure right now. In this time, a whole heapload of grace is needed for those around us as we all are experiencing losses and new unexpected responsibilities.
For me personally, I think this sudden and unexpected change also comes down to an identity question, (as it so often does.) Where do I find my identity? In the things I do and study and the places I go and explore and what I know about them?
No sir.
My identity is found in the truly unchanging, never-ending, solid foundation of Jesus Christ.
With that, here's a little... prose? I suppose, that I wrote in the Jardin des Plantes on my last day as I spent the sudden few hours I had left praying over the people of Paris.
Fear.
Fear of the unknown.
What a prevalent and driving force in our lives right now.
Who knows what tomorrow holds. Seriously.
the words and phrases that we used to say for a nice pat on the back of encouragement are now much more influential because they reflect a reality we are facing.
Who knows what tomorrow holds.
I sure don’t.
And it’s hard to not conjecture and wonder and attempt to make sense of the unknown.
Well what if, oh but, it’s like this, oh it’s just an overreaction, oh gosh it’s the end of it all.
We all have our different ways of coping. Of attempting to understand.
Of reaching and grasping for some sense of meaning and safety.
We don’t like being in the dark. Never have. I slept with a night light for the longest time.
But thankfully, our God is in Himself a light. He brightens every corner and hidden place with His radiant glory, banishing any fear of the dark unknown.
Step into his gentle rays of light, be filled with peace in the knowledge that He will continue to sustain and brighten up those dark and scary places.
-March 12
Let's be a witness to that light and hope! So many people are scared and therefore more soft and ready to hear about the truth in Jesus.
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