Garlands of Marigolds

Humility.  It’s something we talk a lot about; but very often have a hard time actually putting into action.  There’s a whole stigma of having too much pride or being arrogant in our society…but oftentimes those who claim to be humble are the very people who are most proud (of their humility).  True humility comes from being humbled by circumstances or being humbled by God himself.  These past few days I have been humbled by God himself.

On Sunday, we were able to attend a church and were allowed to minister by the pastor with songs, drama, and testimonies.  One of the staples of traditional Indian churches (at least several that I’ve been to) is the giving of garlands to guests of honor.  These garlands are made of bright orange marigolds that have been strung together.  They actually derive from Hindu culture, and can be bought on the street corners outside the temples.  Worshippers bring them as offerings to adorn the necks of the gods they pray to inside the temple.  Today, they were adorning our necks.  There have been very few other moments in my life when I have felt so humbled as the moment when a sweet young Indian woman (she couldn’t have been older than me…at least I don’t think so) from the congregation placed that garland on my neck.  I had come to serve them, to minister to them, and they were placing a garland around my neck?  I felt like I should have been placing one on hers for her faithfulness to her faith in spite of all the persecution that surrounds them.  What had I done to deserve this…except be born a white American?

That afternoon we went to the Taj Mahal, and something surprising happened: rain.  Up until about July, there is very little to no rain in India, particularly May and June.  But, during our visit to the mausoleum itself, we found ourselves entrenched in the sudden onset of both a dust storm that threatened to blow us right out of our flip flops and a rainstorm complete with lightning and thunder!  Nature itself always humbles me. Who am I to be blessed with rain on the day that should be the hottest of the trip? (The white marble causes the sun’s heat to intensify, so it is usually the one place in India that I burn.)

Then, yesterday, God humbled me by reminding me that my strength is not my own.  We were wondering through Agra Fort, one of my favorite places to see, taking pictures and having a good time.  It was then that I noticed my legs were shaking.  I sat down, took a brief rest, drank some water, and kept walking with the rest of the team.  It was a little later on that the shaking grew steadily worse, and the strength completely left my legs.  I couldn’t walk.   For the rest of the day, I had to rely on others to help me get around, hold me up, and get me wherever we were going.  As the day went on, the question kept ringing through my mind: Why is this happening to me God?

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to share about that experience in this particular forum.  However, I feel that God taught me something really important.  You see, He answered my question, all three of them in fact.

What had I done to deserve this?  Nothing, but you didn’t have to.  I love you anyway.

Who am I to be blessed with rain?  My child, whom I love, who rejoices for rain in summer.

Why is this happening to me God?  Because I love you.  Now let others show you my love.

Humility.  It’s letting others show God’s love when we are most broken and vulnerable.  It has nothing to do with us in fact, save for our willingness to accept what is being given to us.