Random Occurances

    People like to ask me what a normal day is like when I'm on my missions trips. I tend to respond with a shrug. As anyone who works in ministry can tell you, there is no such thing as a normal day in ministry, there are always "random" occurrences. Whether they be schedule changes or just moments in the day that are immensely memorable, these "random" occurrences always make each day different than the last in ways no one can predict.

    To continue I must ask a question; what does everyone think about when they think of Native American culture? Most people would probably say "Pocahontas" or "teepees" or maybe "animals" and "dancing". However, almost everyone would agree that they are a highly spiritual culture. Their dances are not just for fun, they are intended to please/honor/summon/communicate with the spirits. Obviously the native cultures today are quite different. However, there is still a heavy spiritual element to the native culture all throughout the Reservations.

    So the one notable "random occurrence” happened recently on Wednesday, June 17. When the short term missions group was having their VBS. The VBS was themed around the idea of Jesus being better than any superhero. It is a pretty tenable concept for kids and fairly relevant considering all of the movies that have been coming out recently. Also the songs they chose were pretty fun and easy for the kids. What threw me for a loop was one of the songs they sang. It was "No Monsters" by Carmen.

   While it was not totally weird that this song should be playing, it was weird that this song should be so perfect for what the kids in this VBS have experienced. Many of these children have dealt with/seen/been around/been a part of circumstances very similar to those that are mentioned in the song. It is these kind of "random" occurrences that only someone who is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent can compose.

   Every day has these kind of moments in it, although not every day has a moment that makes the day amazing, if you look for it there are always “random occurrences” that make each day memorable. This particular “random occurrence” was a simple reminder that my life is only in my control as much as God, our King, wants it to be. That is truly a blessing.