Insignificantly Significant

On our way home from Cambodia, we had a layover in Bangkok, Thailand. We found ourselves sitting in the lobby and check-in area of the airport. It's a pretty large, busy airport, with people from all around the world flying through. We found some seats amongst the crowd, and I happened to accidentally sit in someone else's seat.

He had his phone plugged in and his luggage sitting across from me, but I didn't notice this until he came back and, speaking Chinese, tried to explain to me that it was his seat. I didn't have to understand his words in order to understand the situation.

To be honest, I thought he was yelling at me, but I came to realize that was just how the language and facial expressions came across to me, even when he wasn't actually mad. I later found out he was just asking if I needed to use his charger. I moved over a seat to make room for him, and we sat together, just observing our surroundings.

A few minutes passed, and then he started trying to talk to me. We both realized very quickly that I didn't know his language, and he didn't know English. I ended up pulling out my phone, opening the Google Translate app, and we began having a conversation. We shared our names, where we were from, and where we were going. Pretty common conversation topics, given where the conversation was happening.

After a minute or two, he asked me if it would be okay if we took a photo together, and I said yes. If you're ever asked to do this, just be prepared for about a dozen or so photos to be taken! I watched him scroll through them, comparing them all, and from what I gathered, he picked one and sent it to what looked like a group chat on his phone. (I wasn't creeping on his phone; he was showing me what he was doing!)

He then asked me if I had Facebook. I said yes and asked him if he did. He said no, explaining that he wasn't allowed to because of the laws and regulations where he lived. He was trying to figure out a way for us to connect online, but there didn't seem to be anything we could both use or have access to in order for that to happen.

When I first started traveling globally, none of this was possible. If you didn't have Wi-Fi, you couldn't use your phone. There would have been no way for us to have a conversation outside of stumbling through some words, laughing, and then moving on. Technology is such a blessing when used the right way, when we use it and don't allow it to use us.

After about twenty minutes or so, I could tell the conversation was wrapping up, so I typed a question into the Translate app, asking if he knew who Jesus was. To be honest, I was nervous to ask, knowing he was from China. He looked at me, smirked, and nodded yes.

I asked him if he believed Jesus was who He said He was, and he shook his head no. To be honest, I'm not sure if he didn't believe because of a personal choice or if that choice had been taken away from him, much like his choice to use Facebook.

I then asked him if he WANTED to believe in Jesus and have Him in his heart. He smirked and shook his head no, but it wasn't in a strong, defiant way. It was almost as if he wanted to but felt he had to say no. Kind of like when you're at someone's house and they ask if you'd like another drink or something to eat, and on the inside you do, but you politely shake your head no.

So, without being pushy, I simply typed on my phone that if he did want to believe in Jesus, Jesus would meet him wherever he was. All he had to do was ask Him to come into his life and into his heart. He looked at me, smiled, and nodded his head.

At this time, the people I was traveling with were finished and ready to head to the hotel. I told him it was nice to meet him, shook his hand, and left.

I highly doubt I'll ever come across that young man again. I hope that I do, but I'm glad I got to meet him when I did.

I think, for me, there are two takeaways from this encounter.

First, be kind.

He could have easily been mad at me for sitting in his seat or thought I was trying to take or use his charger. But he didn't. Instead, he was asking if I needed to use his charger.

It doesn't take much to be kind. In fact, it takes less energy to be kind than it does to be mean. His kindness led to a conversation that, even with how simple it may have seemed, is one I will remember for a very long time.

Second, when we are living in obedience to the Lord and walking in our purpose, these kinds of things happen naturally.

We are placed in environments where God wants us to meet specific people at specific times. Yes, we have to have the courage to step out in faith, but He will always be with us when we do so for His Kingdom.

When we are living out the very reason we were made, certain things seem to come easily and naturally to us. When we are walking in our purpose, we see, think, act, and feel differently than we do in almost any other area of our lives.

We were all created in a very specific way, with specific gifts that are meant to be used for a specific purpose. And when all of those things align, how freeing that is!

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."