On my last trip to Costa Rica, one of my favorite experiences was sitting in on the adults’ English class. The teacher, Johan, works with both kids and adults in the community. He primarily teaches English, but his classroom also houses a computer lab. Here, students of all ages learn basic computer skills including programs like Microsoft Excel.
Both English and computer skills are invaluable in the Costa Rican job market. Since tourism is a primary industry, when a local speaks English it is much easier for them to find consistent work. The door is also open for them to work in customer service, either in-person or remotely. This allows them to even work for organizations across the world, not just in Costa Rica.
But this blog post isn’t about computers and English classes. It’s about Johan.
When I first met him, he was curious about faith in Jesus, but admittedly had no desire to really pursue it. Both he and his wife had challenging church experiences growing up. He had seen the worst side of organized religion–a side that should not exist at all. Somehow, this side of “church” and “faith” are too often the most memorable. I put these words in quotations, because I believe they are used incorrectly in this context. They do not define the experience God has designed for the church. They are not the faith of Jesus, which is built upon grace and not action. But unfortunately, these words of “church” and “faith” mean completely different things when spoken by different people.
And Johan had only experienced the harmful definitions of these words.
While working at Faithful Servant Missions as a teacher, he was not required to be a person of faith. There have always been aspects of his job that include faith, but he could complete his duties to the students and the mission without pressure to act or believe a certain way. All that was required of him was to meet with the staff for daily prayer before the students arrived. That, and to translate the sermons, devotionals, and conversations when English-speaking mission teams came to visit.
I’ve been back for a few days, and something about Johan is different. He isn’t just translating the sermons… he’s preaching them as he repeats the words in English. He isn’t just attending prayer, he’s praying. And beyond these enhancements to his job duties, he walked in the door to the church Sunday morning with his wife, Karolain. Not as a translator, but as an attender.
As I noticed this change, I felt God speak to me, “I’m so proud of Johan.”
So I told him. Side note: one of the gifts of listening to the voice of God is sharing it with others. To clarify, it wasn’t audible. It was a feeling in my back, heart, and stomach that accompanied the words floating across my mind. Tears welled up in my eyes. For me, this is often how I hear God. It’s not a voice, but an impression; a movement of my mind and body that echoes God’s heart.
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, “Johan, God is so proud of you,” we both got chills. He looked at me as if it was confirmation of what he had been feeling. I could see the gratitude in his eyes.
Later, he would begin to tell me the story of his faith journey over the past few years. Hearing countless testimonies from missionaries and students, seeing the way lives are transformed by God’s grace, and experiencing a redemptive faith instead of an oppressive one slowly but surely opened the door for him to reconsider this God he had put aside. Not only is he now pursuing a life with Jesus, but so is his wife. Together, they are allowing their community and Holy Spirit to give them a new perspective of “church.”
Johan and Karolain are growing in faith.
This is what it’s all about.
The gospel is simple.
The gospel is attractive.
The church and its systems don’t need to complicate it or try to package it with a list of oppressive rules.
A life with Jesus inspires change. Holy Spirit transforms us if we let him. The fruit Christians are supposed to bear comes not from us trying to live a certain way, but from seeking God in all we do. Then, God’s power overwhelms our temptation to live in ways that are out-of-sync for what God’s design is for us. God’s power opens our eyes to see the harm that’s caused by our sin and enables us to choose a different path. God’s power is shown through friendships that encourage us to seek God and then do what God says! There is a place and time to correct sinful behavior, but in the way of Jesus this is done in relationships, not systems.
Johan and Karolain’s faith are an example of that. There’s no coercion to believe; God doesn’t need us to “trick” anyone into faith in him. Theirs is a story of redemption.
Are there still wounds from their past experiences with religion that need to heal? Yes, absolutely. But they’re in a community that’s safe enough for the wounds to be exposed and for healing to begin. They’ve allowed God to redeem them enough that the bleeding can stop. What once was an open and infected wound is beginning to scar over.
Their story is not done yet!
Views expressed are mine, based on my experience, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of those mentioned.
