“My comfort doesn’t come from the family I give you. or the house you live in. or the bed you sleep in. or the clothes you wear. or the food you eat. or the community you surround yourself with. or the traditions you have. or the weather you are used to. My comfort isn’t the temporary feeling you get from the earthly pleasures. My comfort isn’t desirable to the rest of the world. it’s not what has already happened or what is about to happen. My comfort isn’t comfortable.
My comfort is my unfailing love that I have for you. My comfort replaces all the earthly possessions or desires you have. My comfort is something you seek after. it’s always present. My comfort will make you comfortable for the rest of eternity. it will help you when you feel lost or sad. it will be there for you when you cry out to Me. My comfort is what I give you as I call you out to the unknown.”
-God
most would say the World Race isn’t comfortable. you may have to sleep on your mattress pad for a month. you may have to share one bathroom with 12 other people. you may have to spend the night in an airport and be on an airplane for 13 hours. you may have to walk outside every time you need to use the bathroom. you may have to eat dinner in the dark while wearing your headlamp. you may have to dump a bucket of cold water on your head to shower. or hand wash your clothes and hang them in the sun to dry. you may have to have your teammates pick lice out of your head because there is no way for you to treat it yourself.
why are these not comfortable? because we are used to sleeping in our own full size bed with a thick mattress, or having our own bathroom with our own toilet and shower inside our home that has more than one room, or having electricity at all times of the day so you can always see what you are doing. we have never experienced anything other than what we already know. until I came on the race, I complained if my house was colder or hotter than I wanted it to be. I complained about having to share a car with my brother. I always expected my pantry and fridge to be full of food. I expected my mom to put my laundry in a machine to be washed and then in another machine to dry. I had the opportunity to play sports on an organized team. I had the opportunity to go to school my entire life and then have my parents pay to further my education.
since being on the race, I learned that my life is not normal. that these things are not normal. I have seen homes that were made of sheet metal that were about the size of a kitchen table where an entire family (immediate and extended) sleep, cook and eat. I have seen kids wear the same clothes every single day for a month with dirt all over their bodies because there was no water to clean themselves. I have seen kids who can throw a baseball or play soccer but have no opportunity of playing on a team. I have seen men attach water jugs to a bike to take to and from a well for water to cook with, to shower with, and to drink. I have seen bruises and scratches on kids from their parents who abuse them.
why is it that we hear about the things that are happening in the world around us, but we don’t do anything about it? why is it that the money we make isn’t good enough so we feel like we have to make more and have more? The Word says:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything the had. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:32&34-35
there should be no needy people around us. we should want to be one with everyone and give everything we have.
The Lord calls us out of our comfortable routine and our comfortable life to draw us closer to His comfort. If we rely only on His comfort and not our own, we will feel satisfied. we will be fulfilled in the spirit.
I have been very homesick since being in Africa. I don’t know if it’s because of the time difference or because it’s the holiday season. This is a feeling that a lot of people don’t understand..that I don’t even understand. I feel more at peace than I ever have and I’ve had an immeasurable amount of happiness. but I also miss my family and I’ve struggled with being present with where I am.
I have loved eating pretty much the same meal every single day with my girls (Chipote, potatoes, rice, and noodles). I have loved walking 45 minutes to ministry to preach in front of the church body. I have love getting hand made African dresses. I have loved all the Africans staring at us as we walk the streets.
it’s little and big things that make my heart happy.
One day we traveled to a local hospital to pray for the sick. I got the opportunity to preach in front of HIV-positive patients that were sitting outside on the front lawn. as I finished, we all prayed for those who needed prayers. I gained 8 new brothers and sisters that day.
I am still seeking His comfort and not my own. I can tell as I give up my earthly desires and comforts, I am gaining all that He has for me.
Thank you you for all your support and prayers!
Loving always,
Janie
