"Standing in Someone's Shoes"

Yesterday a group of student and I went to Venice Beach in LA. We had a tour on the beach looking at unusual stuff and people that have never been seen in a place where I lived. Well, here is the story: We were walking around and as I look, there were a lot of people who were poor, homeless, and "freaks." Made me think how are they doing in their lives. I mean, I saw how they were just doing weird things. My friends and I were watching weird people who did weird things. We kind of giggle and laughed so much because it seemed to be funny and ridiculous. I had weird feelings just starring at them. However, deep inside my heart and mind, I thought, "How does it feel to be in these people's shoe? What are their feelings? How do they leave everyday like this?" I felt so sad. I saw a man just sitting near his small market, and he had a water bottle and he was just sitting and waiting. Waiting for someone to help or give something. I thought about my life and this man's life. I live in a well and comforted island where I may starve, well just because I may skip a meal, but that doesn't count. This man had not eaten for days or weeks. I was not able to take a picture so you would see what I am talking about, but if you could only imagine how hard it is for some people who are actually leaving in a place like that and just suffering.

I took that very special moment and I saw and I imagined how much the person is suffering. Not only him but there quite a few that I saw. And that's not it. There may be one that you saw somewhere else. And there are a lot everywhere.

Yesterday was a moment of fun for my friends and me yet I keep thinking about how that person who was sitting and waiting could wait any longer. How long will he wait until he has his next meal?

"Frustration makes you frown, Salvation makes you smile!"

This is kind of awkward but I learn in the ministry that I am in, frustration always arises in practices. Struggles, hard decisions are being made, cooperation are kind of optional, and the very reason for the ministry becomes less and less important. We tend to lose focus on the very reason why we do things in ministry. We get irritated and think of negative things. In the Bible (in my own perspectives) the foolish will always make the wrong decisions. They will think that they are the reason for the ministry. They will think that maybe giving up is not an option but a must. I had my own experience of wanting to get off from the team I am with. I try to think of negative ways that will make me more angry and want to kick myself off the team. One thing I forgot was the commitment and responsibilities that I was committed to. All the things that I was thinking of in a good way for the ministry. Especially, how God choose me for the team. Not me choosing the team or the group for the team but God. The same God that you and I worship everyday. I think of the reason why I am here, in LA and for that very same reason I got in Guam is still the same reason I should have in ministry. Why am I being part of the group God had assemble? Why am I here when I can be somewhere else doing something? Because God wants me to do what He wants me to do. He wants me to do the work that He has prepared. He wants to use me. I am glad for my Salvation in Christ. Because it is in Him, it is Him that I live for. Paul speak this in Philippians that it is no longer him that lives in himself but Christ. "For to me is to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Amazing how Paul speaks of how we can put aside all our anxieties, all our frustrations, all our giving up and giving in, and just look toward Jesus. I experience these things on special occasions and things such as rehearsal for a ministry. Often people will want to give up and stop for many, many reason.

How about you? What have you been challenged today? Which side will you take?

Hint: Always Smile for Jesus!