“I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content- whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 12-13.
We’ve officially been in Cochabamba for over a week- we’ve been initiated! As I looked over my journal entries, I quickly noticed a theme.
Contentment.
Our backyard at Casa Verde.
The Thursday we arrived at Casa Verde (our Bolivian home), I was ecstatic. For real, I couldn’t contain my excitement. We got to live in a house, a real house for a whole month! A house that has couches and bathrooms and carpet and a kitchen and space. The backyard is perfect for team workouts, loungin’ in the hammock or grilling out. How blessed are we this month? I was elated, overjoyed.
The makings of a GREAT quiet time- Bible, journal, pens, breakfast and coffee.
I got up early on Friday morning and showered. Thank you Lord for running water. Hot, running water. I did my laundry. Thank you for a washing machine! No hand-washing this month… I made coffee and dumped a bunch of vanilla caramel creamer a previous team had left here. Thank you Lord for the team that left this here for us to enjoy! I ate a breakfast of bread with jam and bananas, an apple and a Fiber One bar (also left by a previous team). Thank you Lord for good food that I can make on my own. The list went on… I was giddy.
During my devotional, the ever popular passage from Philippians 4:13 was quoted. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” On of my biggest pet peeves is when people misuse this particular Scripture. It gets plastered on greeting cards and on the backs of marathon t-shirts. People, if you don’t train for the marathon, you’re probably not going to wake up and be able to run 26.2 miles. Just sayin’.
What people don’t read is verse 12, the one right before 13. Crazy, I know. It reads, “I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content– whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.”
The passage is really on finding contentment is what the Lord has provided for you- whether you’ve got a lot or a little, whether you’re hungry or starving, whether you have what you need or not, and in every circumstance, giving thanks.
Now, it’s much easier to see what you’ve given up when you’re living in a jungle tree house in the middle of nowhere, then when you’re living in a World Racers dream home in a safe subdivision in Bolivia. Though I feel incredibly blessed this month, the Lord continued to reiterate this theme of contentment.
You’ve been given much this month, be content in it. Don’t take it for granted, don’t feel entitled to it- you’re not. It’s a blessing. But, just as you feel content now, be content when you’re in the sticks of Africa, living out of your tent and taking baby wipe showers. Be content always. Fully content.
Ok. Great. I think I’m going to like this lesson the Lord had for me. Contentment. I’m thinkin’ I’m going to be content this month. I’m not going to look toward the “next big thing,” I’m going to be here, now.
And then it hit.
Bam.
I woke up Sunday not feeling 100%. I was excited for church but knew I was off. Half way through the service I was bracing myself on the chair ahead of me during worship. My teammate Jamie asked if I was okay. My response-
Just get me home to my bed.
We booked it out of service and grabbed a taxi home. I quickly created my “hovel” next to the couch. It was complete with my computer full of movies, crackers, Powerade, and pain meds on the coffee table; I grabbed my sleeping bag and pillow after changing into my Abidibas sweaties. I curled up on the couch and made it about 5 minutes into my movie before falling asleep.
And I slept. My team went out to a Brazilian steakhouse. I slept. My team got up on Monday morning ready to work. I slept. They brought me food back to the house. I had no appetite and I slept.
In 2 ½ days, I slept 55 of the 60 hours. I just couldn’t stay awake. I was exhausted. Some say it was the change in altitude, some say I caught a bug. Whatever it was, it was not fun. After I regained some energy, the bano issues began and I stuck close to the toilet.
It always seems to be in these moments that the Lord’s still small voice comes back and asks, “Are you content in your current circumstances?”
No. There, are you happy? I said it. I’m not content. Who is content going to the bathroom every 10 minutes? Not me.
At this moment, I knew it was time for the thankful game. It goes a little something like this:
I’m thankful for this nice house to be sick in.
I’m thankful for a clean bathroom to use.
I´m thankful I´m not traveling right now.
I’m thankful I can sleep and rest in silence.
I’m thankful for the time to rest.
I’m thankful for contacts who are understanding of this sickness.
I’m thankful for my appetite coming back.
I’m thankful for the majority of days when I’m healthy.
The list can and should go on and on. You get the idea.
The Lord won’t tempt, but He’ll test. I thought it would be real easy to be content this month while living in the lap of luxury (to a World Racer that means hot running water, beds and laundry). Being sick sure tested that theory. I can’t say I passed with flying colors. The Lord slowed my life down for a solid week before I was back to “normal,” but He was teaching me a very important lesson on contentment.
So that’s a little of what the last week looked like for me and what I’m learning through it all.
How about you? Are you content in your current circumstances? Health? Job? Relationships? Money? Possessions?
Compassion International has a great website that helps put things into perspective. If you find yourself feeling like you need more or the opposite, that you’re entitled to the things you own, check out this website: http://whoarethejoneses.org/ It will show you where you rank in the world’s population based on material possessions. I hope it will help lead to further contentment.
Oh, and you probably want to see the sweet house I’m living in this month, right? It’s just one click away and you’ll have a guided tour of Casa Verde:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei_iDk2wfa4
