That Smile

By Drew Gaddis, 2015 Romania Team memberIn the midst of rushing through the day to day things I have to do, I received a message from someone I taught in Romania. She had a serious question for me. She asked me what I meant by smile; a comment I made to her from time to time at camp. I didn't have the foggiest idea of what she was asking me. What did I mean by smile?Through her broken English, she began to explain to me her question. I was then blown away by what she told me. She told me that while she was at camp, she was jealous of people who had what she described as that smile. A smile that wasn't based on circumstance, a smile that didn't change on how you felt, a smile that only those who have Jesus have. She was jealous because though her parents believed in God, she felt she's never experienced Jesus for her self- she didn't have the confidence of a personal relationship. She was struggling with whether God was real, but she really wanted that smile. Through talking with her, I was able to show her that she could have that smile too. That God was pulling her towards Himself and that working through these questions to find her faith was part of the process. Her fear turned to excitement as she realized God wanted her and loved her enough to reach out to have her ask these questions.I thought about the idea of that smile and what that looked like. She was describing the Joy of the Lord, and it was something that was blatant and obvious to her as something she was missing and wanted. It’s like watching a sports game being played where you know your team won; you don't necessarily know how they won, just that they did - that's the confidence the Joy of the Lord gives, we know that God has won, we're just watching the play by play, so even if something in our life doesn't seem to be working out, we can still have that smile because we know the ending.What was so moving was the effect we can have on other people just by putting on that smile. I've never thought about how powerful our attitudes are. She saw that smile on my team and me, and that prompted her to ask me. For some, that smile is the only light of Christ they see. It can be the nudge someone needs to start searching for answers, or the spark of desire for something greater. It’s in those opportunities we have the chance to share what sets us apart: Christ. It is paramount that our attitudes are uplifting to God and that we share that smile because we never know how God will use us to change someone's life. You see, you as a Christian have the choice to put on that smile.Since, Satan recognizes that smile, he tries every way possible to steal it away from you. He will distract you, tempt you, put problems in your life, or just keep you busy. So you have the option to fall into Satan's trap, or you can use those trials as opportunities to show off that smile. Because that smile is one of confidence, not in yourself, but in Him. You see Satan is like a bully in your class. He’s scary and too strong to resist on your own, but you aren't alone, you've been adopted into a family with the best big brother ever, and Satan is completely powerless against Him. All you have to do is tell Him and trust that He will protect you.Because of what Christ has done for you, you have that smile. Are you sharing it?If you want to spread the joy of Christ in Romania this summer among children and teens who search for the source of "that smile," please check out the Romania trip page here. The team still needs more members!Drew started going on missions trips with GE for the 2007 Peru trip; six GE trips later, he still loves going on trips like Romania and always comes back having been personally taught something. When he's not on GE trips, he's engulfed in law school, work, and ministries at his church. "Romania was especially interesting because it was a language and culture I hadn't previously encountered. It is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated trips GE offers and would encourage anyone who had the opportunity to go." ~Drew