Each place we travel I try to spend time paying attention to the culture, seeing the spirit of the people. Many of the places we’ve been, China, Brazil and even Israel, the people live in such turmoil. Their “spirits” seem in a constant state of anxiety. And although certainly God is present, as He is always present, you have to search deep to see the light. In China, spirit was so void. It was as if the centuries of time, the culture, the empires have wiped away the peoples inner knowing, their ability to see the love of God, their ability to shine light. In Brazil, there is a real, constant and palpable evil that threatens to distinguish the light the people struggle to hold on to. But within the midst of darkness, there were bright shining lights. And even in Israel, the Holy Land, the turmoil and strife and need to hold on to traditions has somewhat replaced the personal God relationships with almost a political or structural religion, if there is such a thing.
So as we leave the Bahamas, as we leave Paradise Island – I stop to ponder where was God? We didn’t spend much time outside the hotel, a few trips out on the water … a sunset cruise and an afternoon on Rose island. We didn’t tour the Island as we had hoped so didn’t really experience what I would have hoped to see of the culture. But all that said, again where was God? Ah! In the eyes of the people, in the hearts of the Bahamians. There was a quiet grace, a genuine warmth that I saw over and over again. There was a light that shined from within. You didn’t have to search deep, the light was shown to you. Sitting on the plane now on our way to Atlanta, a young man named Jerrell is in the seat in front of me. He happens to work at the hotel we just left. I told him I enjoyed the hotel and thought the service was great. He said thank you and was genuinely proud of his workplace. I then said I really liked the people who served us – that they were truly warm and genuine. He replied with a huge smile and beamed, “Now you are speaking of the Bahamians, that is our culture – who we are.”
There is a saying the Bahamians use – God Spare Life. It basically means God willing, or with Gods blessings. In the Bahamas, whenever they speak of the future, they tag on God Spare Life …. meaning if it’s in God’s will, this will occur. God Spare Life. Every day we are here because God spared life, our life. He gave us another day to breathe, another day to live, another day to shine his light. Today, God Spare Life – Today!
It makes me ponder, if today God Spare Life, what will I do with it? He gave me a gift, he spared me today – why? What does He expect me to do with this day? Where will He use me? Where can I show His light and to whom?
I’ve written before how Mick and I hold tight to the phrase On Belay. This is a rope climbing term used between the climber and the person holding the safety tether. Belay On/On Belay basically means I am trusting you are holding tight to the safety line and I am climbing on/risking the climb. Every day I trust God is holding me tight. I trust Him and move forward where he leads me knowing he has me so the risk is not to great. He has the ropes. So now I think On Belay and God Spare Life.
You, God spared me this day, use me as you will. I trust you are holding the ropes. Once again, On Belay
