Back on one of our first days in Cambodia, the team and most of the kids were walking along a path next to the vast rice fields. We were on our way back from our walk, and I was holding hands with one of the kids I had particularly bonded with, Samnung. He started singing a song of praise to God, Hallelujah to the Lamb. We passed by a group of older people standing around a bike, and I started to feel timid. Christianity isn’t persecuted like it once was in Cambodia, but it isn’t exactly popular either. I looked at Samnung as we were passing by, and I was astounded. He was unphased. I remember him singing even more passionately about Jesus and His love for us. I smiled as I saw this young one have such a heart for Jesus.
During that moment, I knew God was teaching me a lesson that would stick with me for a long time. There is a reason that Jesus said that we must have the mind of a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. Samnung wasn’t thinking “What will they think of me?” He didn’t fear the people’s possible rejection or laughter at his faith, a faith that is completely alien in a land where Buddhism and Hinduism reigns. It wasn’t even a thought in his mind. He simply sang, because he loved Jesus, and enjoyed His presence. It was so simple, yet so beautiful.
It got me thinking of all the times back home when I try to mask my faith. In a land where Jesus is much more known and accepted than Cambodia, I often unfortunately try to avoid rubbing people the wrong way. If I play worship music too loud in my car, will this person be turned away? Or if I share the gospel at this time, will it do more harm than good? If I pray for this person, will they think I’m a freak? Of course, this is all just fear. As we grow up, we find sneakier ways to sin, and this fear of man is exactly that. A way to sugarcoat a love of my own self-image.
We should never try to hide Jesus in our lives. For one, we come dangerously close to denying Him when we try to do this. And two, people need to hear about Him. Jesus is amazing! He is the answer for every woe that could overcome us throughout our lives. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. My prayer is that I’m like Samnung. Singing and talking unashamedly about Jesus wherever I am. Because no matter what people’s opinions are, Jesus never changes. And His love and mercy are forever the rock of those who believe in Him.
