Displace and Replace

Back in my college years, I went on a mission trip with a group of friends to Mexico City. We received practical training in prayer at our church and were eager to participate with some missionaries in a cross-cultural context. That first evening we traveled via subway across that huge metroplex of Mexico City. “It’s rush hour so make sure you push your way on, it will be packed,” we were told.

I thought I’d traveled in tight spots before, but nothing prepared me for this sardine-like experience. When the doors opened, a crush of people pressed in and swept me and my friends with it. At each stop more squeezed on.  I could hardly move. The heat, sounds, and smells made it hard to breathe; we were like jelly beans all melting together.

Just then, I felt a hand reach into my back pocket and, quick as a wink, my wallet was gone! I was incensed. Fortunately, I had had the foresight to leave my passport and driver’s license at the house, but my cash was folded in that wallet, my favorite wallet, mind you.

Hoping to catch a guilty face, I twisted around, now staring eye to eye at a car full of people. One of them was a thief, I’m sure staring straight at me, but which one? The eyes gave nothing away; those that understood my words pleaded innocence. It was a lost cause, but I kept scanning faces, accusing them with my eyes. A few stops later, the human tide flowed out and with them went my wallet. That experience colored my disposition and my prayers later that night at the church. “Stupid people!” I thought.

I didn’t like the feelings I projected towards these Mexican people. It would have stolen the joy of the whole trip had I not received some good advice. “Pray that God will let you feel the love He has for this people,” our missionary host advised. He’d been cheated in many ways over the years. “The only thing that preserved my heart was asking God to ‘displace’ my anger and ‘replace’ it with His Love,” he said.

He's better than you think, and He wants to show you

Fast forward to a few months ago: I was in church, sitting up in the front corner so as not to be distracted during worship. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a married couple acting very frosty towards one another. The congregation was worshiping wonderfully but these two were giving each other the cold treatment. It wasn’t overly obvious, but my “knower” knew. I kept stealing glances at them as the choruses grew. Amid all the warm rejoicing, those two ice pillars stood unmoved.

I glanced over a few more times, unable to get them out of my mind, when I remembered the advice of the missionary years ago: “Pray that God would let them feel His love.”

So, I prayed, while singing with all my heart. “Lord, show them Your love for them.” Over and over, I prayed as we worshiped. From my quick peeks I saw no hint of warming at all. They stood like expressionless statues side by side.

But I could feel it, the love of the Father was flowing. Our worship was beautiful, rising up to Him. “Get-em, Lord!”  became my prayerful phrase.

And then it happened. Exactly what, I can’t be sure, but I’d like to think that God’s love melted them. I have no idea if it was a result of my intentional prayers, all I know is that slowly tears began to flow down their faces. Both husband and wife were now singing to Jesus and leaning into each other. After a few moments, they whispered something into each other’s ears and, just like that, the ice dam broke. Hands were held, smiles and hugs were given.

I watched it all out of the corner of my eye and pondered afresh the power of feeling God’s love. It’s the most basic truth that Jesus gave to us, and the one thing we need the most. If people only knew how God feels about them, it would redefine all moments.

I wish I could take back the stink eye, that accusatory look, I gave to all those folks in that subway car years before. After all, it was only money. I wonder if I had worked to “displace and replace,” if the love of God might have broken in? Perhaps that thief would have gotten better than he expected. Such a thought rarely entered my mind in those days, but it’s more familiar today. 

As one song sings, “You couldn't earn it, you don't deserve it,” but He still gives Himself today. He’s better than you think and wants to show you. Where do you need to work to displace and replace?