The Great Exchange

Title: The Great Exchange
Materials: Acrylic Paint
Artwork by: Nyasha Chakaingesu
Description: I don’t particularly enjoy being inconvenienced.
It usually brings me more harm than good. However, God recently changed my perspective on this and showed me the beauty in what I deemed unworthy.

One day, an old lady came up to the counter (in the printing area where I work at). She hardly spoke any English and she had a long list of things to be done. As a result, it took up 20 minutes of my time. I started to get frustrated and the negative thoughts kicked in: ‘Can’t she do it herself?’ ‘Why did I end up serving her?’ ‘There’s probably more to do.’ ‘I don’t have time for this, I have other things to attend to.’ ‘It’s been 20 minutes.’ (I know; it sounds really mean but I’m just being honest here.)

All of a sudden, she pointed at a boy in one of the photographs she handed me. Barely able to express herself in her limited command of the language, she said: ‘My son died.’ Immediately, I was overwhelmed by waves of guilt and revelation. I was so focused on myself and on how much inconvenience the old lady was bringing me that I almost missed an opportunity to express that which reflects our heavenly Father so beautifully: Love. As Jesus says in the Word, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34.

Whether it may be giving words of encouragement; helping a stranger; serving customers well at work or just taking the time to ask how someone is doing—these are all invitations and opportunities to partner with God. This beautiful partnership allows the other person to experience the love of God through your actions, no matter how big or small they may be. He loves each and every one of us and He is always there (even for those who may not know Him). Accept the invitation and have the privilege to be a part of this great exchange where you get to share God’s love with another when you choose to pay the cost of inconvenience and give up your time, energy or possessions. In my case, it cost me time but it was truly worth it.
I trust that the lady walked away better than when she first arrived.

I painted ‘The Great Exchange’ a couple of months ago and it had no name or meaning. But now it has found both.