The
Silk Road was a famous connector of people and cultures. It began in and connected
China to other Asian countries, the Middle East, and looped through Southern
Europe via the Mediterranean. It linked traders to merchants, as well as
provided travel routes for pilgrims, monks, and armies. Not unlike the Silk
Road, the Gospels are full of stories of Jesus meeting people where they were,
how He traveled alongside them, dramatically impacting their sinful hearts,
changing their lives by His presence, acceptance, and unconditional love.
While
I didn’t travel the Silk Road or
the roads Jesus walked, both of those remind me of the amazing opportunity I
had to travel to Beijing, China a week or so ago for 6 days. My family here in
Chiang Mai had lived there previously and was invited to attend a wedding for
friends of theirs. Knowing that I wanted to visit China before my time in Asia
was up, they invited me to go with them! Now, before I left, I had thoughts
that I would finally have something to share with you all. Stories of
cross-cultural experiences, culture shock, adventures in traveling, and
sightseeing intrigues! Being a second grade teacher, even one in Thailand, comes
with routines and lessons instead of the most exciting stories, but here was my
chance! Instead, I return with stories of far more lasting impact on my life.
Stories of travel adventures and sightseeing awes: yes. But more importantly,
stories of how God met me on my very own Silk Road.
The
entire trip was a whirlwind, however throughout it, I don’t know when I’ve felt more alive (or so close to death? – just kidding Mom :) ) or so loved and desired
by God. After canceled flights, a night in Hong Kong (all expense paid by the
airlines!), we made it to Beijing a day later than planned. That first
afternoon, I walked around with my sister and brother-in-law, while they showed
me where they used to live, teach English, study Chinese, play with their kids,
etc. Basically, I was able to get a glimpse of their life there in China.
Over
the next few days, I went out sightseeing with another friend of mine who also
lived in China before (she was also there for the wedding), met many new people
who knew my family very well, and traveled just outside the city to the Great
Wall of China.
Within
hours of being in China, God began working in my heart, fulfilling desires I’ve had since high school. Desires I’d never shared with anyone
before. I
always wanted to go to visit my family in China while they were there. I didn’t even bother sharing that desire with anyone, because
I had put myself into such a small box, that I NEVER thought it was even a
REMOTE possibility. God fulfilled that unspoken desire of mine, for no other
reason than that He loves me. HE LOVES ME! So much, that He would show me in a
tangible way, just how much He loves and knows me.
But
that’s not all folks! He fulfilled
another desire of my heart through this trip! Since my high school World
History class, I’d always want to travel to
see and photograph the Wonders of the World. However, back then, I was still
living in that tiny, unnecessary little box and never thought it would really
be possible for me to travel to countries I don’t speak the language, and see the Wonders in person. God, because of His
great love for me, blessed me and brought me to the Great Wall of China. And
Boy is it aptly named or what! Words cannot express the awe-inspiring sight of
the Great Wall. (If you haven’t yet, check out my photos posted on Facebook. I took most of those at
the Great Wall!) To stand on a wall that was started in the 7th
Century, with a length of 13,171 mi (including all its branches –according to Wikipedia),
is impressive. We went to one section of the wall that has been rebuilt, with several fortresses and at points, we were
literally crawling up the steps it was so steep! God brought me to that amazing
monument of human hands at work, and reminded me that, “Hey if you follow me, I will break down
your walls, and build a mighty testament to My Name.”
Our
last full day there was the day of the wedding. I attended the ceremony, but
didn’t go to the reception.
Instead, I took a taxi back to the hotel, and preceded to take the subway to
the Summer Palace on my own. Over the course of the week, I had learned how to
navigate the city via the subway and found it to be a very convenient, albeit
crowded, mode of transportation. I spent the afternoon alone, wandering the
Summer Palace grounds by myself, taking pictures and enjoying the lakeside
view.
Willow
trees line the lake and I found my mind wandering and praying. I was
contemplating the future, next year in particular. In those quiet moments, I
heard God speak to my heart. He asked me to look at the amazing things He had
done in me in the last week, let alone the last couple of years. I was in a
country, alone at the moment, where I didn’t speak the language or know the culture. I had made it to that
particular spot on my own, with directions of course from friends, but He had
made me courageous to step out and try it. How did He do that in me?? Shy,
boxed in, scared me! Then I felt Him say, “Just wait to see the crazy, amazing things I have planned for you!” It was a statement so full of love and excitement
to where He is taking me next! I’m holding on to dear life to that promise, and the promise He tells me
in Joshua 1:9, a verse I’ve quoted since my car
accident in 2010, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
My
Silk Road is leading to great, exciting, and unknown things. But I don’t fear or worry because My Savior, who knows and
fulfills the desires of my heart, has met me on my road, and is leading me to
my destination.
What
does your Silk Road look like? Is your guide as good as mine? If not, I suggest
meeting my guide. He’s waiting to meet you and
share your journey, the triumphs and the travesties alike. I’ll leave you with this:
Psalms 37:3-7
Trust in the Lord and do
good;
Dwell in the land and enjoy
safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and He will give you in the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the
Lord;
Trust in Him and He will do
this:
He will make your righteous
reward shine like the dawn,
Your vindication like the
noon day sun.
Be still before the
Lord and wait patiently for Him…