Lent Devotional – Day 4

Adversity or Advantage? 

Can something good come out of adverse circumstances? I was neither born with a silver spoon nor with a lineage of greater race, and or with a circle of powerful connections. I was always an outcast and never rewarded adequately for the merit. I saw some of my classmates enjoying the favor because of the connections their father had with powerful people, while I stood waiting in the line of the least. Sometimes, I wished I was born rich in an upper class of family with power and influence and born with a look of the race of the majority.  

My situations are unique. Neither I belong to a major tribe in the northeast India, nor I have a look that represents mainland India. When I am among Americans, some consider me an Asian who might not know English. But when I am among Asians, they wait for me to speak so that they can identify me if am a Chinese or Korean Asian. I disappoint both of them. My last name is Lama and I have disenchanted many from Nepal as they thought I am from Nepal. And of course, when I am among Indians, they look at me with disbelief when I speak in Hindi. Once, while visiting Taj Mahal, they refused to give me an entry ticket, but asked to me to go to the foreigners’ counter. 

However, looking back at my life, I discovered that I gained much from these adversities. It has helped me to discover my potential. It has made me tough, courageous, and a survivor. I have gone the distance and reached the horizons beyond my ability. If everything was served readymade on the plate, I would have become complacent, lazy, and arrogant. Probably, my potential would have remained buried within. And of course, I might have failed to find a wonderful friend and Savior Jesus Christ.  

For most of us, we are living in a world of adversity, prejudice, and injustice. But God has blessed us with potential to turn them into Blessings. Perhaps, for this reason, the Creator God incarnated purposefully in a manger as one born of an ordinary carpenter from Nazareth. And prejudiced Nathanael wondered, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46).  

Are you like Nathanael? Are you stuck in low self-esteem and inferiority complex caused by your adverse circumstances? Then it is time for you to remember what God said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). Let us take care of our heart.  

Rev. Dr. A. K. Lama    

Prayer: “Dear Lord! Lift up our broken spirit and instill an absolute confidence in you. Gladden our heart for we are fearfully and wonderfully made by you. Help us to turn our adversity into advantage for your glory. Amen!”