The bus
was just four yards away. They were so close!
But
between them and the vehicle stood a chain link fence topped with a coil of
barbed wire. A Nazi soldier guarded the only gate. So close and yet still so
far away!
Havilah
bit her lip until it bled. When she didn’t it quivered. Her hands trembled too,
so she tucked one into her pocket and Martha squeezed the other tightly.
“Take a
deep breath, Havi.” Luke whispered into her ear. “He won’t even suspect us,
unless you look scared.”
Havilah
gulped a big breath of air and tried to breath out slowly, but it was of little
use. Her body was afraid even though her mind told it not to be.
Luke
leaned close to her again. “Just watch his face.”
Havilah’s
eyes moved from the grey clad soldier onto a man who had just reached the front
of the line. Carrying a small child in one arm, he fished through his pocket
for their ID cards with his other hand. Finally, he found them.
He smiled
at the soldier as he handed him the documents. How did he do it? Wasn’t he
afraid?
With a
nod and a wave, the guard motioned them on. Just like that they were through.
The
line moved ahead and the children moved one spot closer to the Nazi soldier.
Havilah’s heart was pounding so hard she felt certain the guard would hear it.
“Look at
his face.” Martha whispered.
Havilah’s
eyes moved off the guard once again and this time, all the way up to one of the
windows of the bus. He was looking out through the pane of glass – right at
her.
As soon
as their eyes met, his face fell into an expression of fear that exactly
matched her own. He was impersonating her – a fearful little girl, looking up
at a stern guard.
He turned
away from the window, then looked out again. Now he was imitating the guard,
his brow furrowed, his mouth in a frown. He pretended to scrutinize an ID card.
Then using just his hands and face, he transformed the guard into a little ant,
who thought himself great and strong.
Finally,
he returned to her and acted out her expression changing from fear into
confidence.
Havilah
couldn’t help but smile. She nearly laughed.
Suddenly,
the guard, his grey uniform, and the red, Swastika armband didn’t seem so
scary.
Introducing
“The Father of Mime”
Those who
are familiar with mime, will recognize the name Marcel Marceau. For those who
aren’t, this man is best known as “the Father of Mime”. He was an actor who
specialized in this silent art.
Whether
or not you have heard of Marceau previously, it may surprise you to learn that
his first audiences were made up entirely of children.
Working
with the French Resistance, Marcel Marceau smuggled Jewish children out of
occupied France. He performed this task armed with a special skill – mime.
On
multiple occasions, Marceau used his talent to entertain the children in his
care. By doing so, he set them at ease in danger and kept them quiet at times
when silence and safety went hand in hand.
At least
seventy children passed through extremely difficult and dangerous situations by
watching his face.
Christian,
Will You Do the Same?
The story
of Marcel Marceau and the children he rescued is an intriguing tale. It is also
a timely reminder.
In the
midst of trouble and turmoil, in times when fear seems natural, the Christian
needs the same admonition as little Havilah did: “Watch his face.”
Like
Havilah, we often stare at trouble and tremble in fear of what is to come.
However, we too have a rescuer – a Saviour – and our attention needs to be
turned from the trouble onto His face.
God’s
Expression
Nothing
catches God by surprise. Our Lord is never worried, fretful, or afraid.
At the
moment, it seems like the entire world is looking at COVID-19, its spread and
possible outcomes. Consequences to health, freedom, and economy loom over our
heads. These things affect our lives now and, in one way or another, are likely
to continue doing so in the days, months, and even years to come.
However,
as hard as this may sound, we need to turn our eyes away from these things. As
Christians, we are not supposed to focus on this world, or our circumstances
and troubles. We focus on Christ and let Him direct our words, actions, and
even our feelings.
An Admonition
in Troubled Times (of any kind)
I’ve been
thinking a lot about Psalm 2:1-4, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot
in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst
their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the
heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
This
scripture depicts a pretty world-shaking situation – the kings of the earth
plotting against God Himself, planning to rebel against Him. In the midst of
this, we see the Lord’s response – the expression of His face, as it
were.
“He who
sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
Our
Savior is not afraid of the Coronavirus. He doesn’t worry about an economic
crisis. He isn’t stumped by any of the problems you or I will face. We don’t
have to be either.
Instead
of looking at the problem, let’s look at His face. His expression will show us
how to respond in any crisis.
“For
the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to
walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call
conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they
fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him
you shall honour as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”
(Isaiah 8:11-13)
In Christ
Quiana
*All
Scripture references in ESV unless otherwise noted.