My trip to Angkor Wat was one of those knock-your-socks-off, can-this-be-real-life kind of days. The ones that once they’re over, it almost feels as though it was only a dream because how could THAT have really happened? How could THIS be my life? Why would I be able to go THERE?
Well the answer to that question is pretty easy, because Jesus loves me!
I’ve been struggling with how to put this blog into words because it’s a new concept even to me. But basically I want to tell you how God has been romancing me.
Now I know this may sound a little weird. I myself was creeped out by the idea at first. Simply defining God as my Daddy was tough. I mean the concept is confusing. I already have a Daddy so navigating how God is both the same and different within that title can get complicated. But now I am supposed to see him as my romancer? Strange, I know, but give it a thought.
After all, God knows your heart better than anyone. And he loves you to lengths you can’t even imagine. So it actually makes sense that he would be able to love us just like a husband or wife would. He is crazy about you! Just look around, because I know he is showing you.
He shows me all the time. Some things are goofy that only I would understand (like the way monks with their matching umbrellas only walked around our house when I had my camera on me or how each month we have had a small creature of some sort nearby willing and able to be “my pet”).
(Month 1 Dominican Republic: Meet Henry….Month 5 Cambodia (last month): Meet little Oreo)
While other things are BIG and obvious like taking me to Angkor Wat!
I had been waiting to go to Angkor Wat since the day our month in Cambodia began. So this day was a true gift from God and I mean that in the fullest sense.
But part of me felt conflicted about going, and in a way supporting financially, a place built for God’s that I know are not the Truth. However as I prayed about it, I got this overwhelming sense that God was not afraid of these temples. As much as people may distort who these temples are made to worship, my God uses everything for his glory. A wise person once told me, “You see what you look for.” So as my tuk tuk driver took off towards the temples, I prepared myself for the ways I’d see Jesus in this place.
And see Jesus I did! In fact, his presence was unmistakable. The first night we went there, we went to enjoy the sunrise…and scope out the good spots to take pictures the next day; and while we were there, we prayed over a man with an injured knee. He wasn’t healed right on the spot but we walked away from that situation knowing that Jesus was at work and with us even at the world famous Hindu temple. Then the next day, the girls and I had just finished watching the sunset and were beginning our big day of exploring the temples when I noticed this fantastic photo opp. There was a girl sitting on the railing in front of the entrance of the temple, and she was just far enough away that you could see the towers perfectly behind her silhouette. I wanted that picture…but with my friends! So I marched up with the girls to the spot this random girl was sitting at and inched closer and closer until we were as close as we could get without including her in the picture. But once I got about five feet away, she piped up and asked if she needed to move for our picture. We of course responded no, and then I chimed in that her posing had inspired the photo we were about to take. Well this comment inspired a whole slew of introductions, which eventually led to this mystery girl…now known as Courtney, and her travel buddy, Becca, to join us for the entire day of exploring the temples! Not only were these girls awesome northerners; (well kind of, they grew up in the south but now live in DC, so I still count it) but, they were also incredibly insightful Christians that we got to enjoy meaningful, fun, conversation with for the rest of the day!
It’s hard to sum up in words the pure beauty and divine scheduling of this day; but let it just suffice to say that it was an answered prayer in many ways. Recently, part of me had begun to worry about what it would look like to find intentional Christian friends like the ones I’ve made on the race once I got back home. But God quickly responded to this concern by sending unbelievable Christians all the way to Cambodia just to assure me that they ARE out there.
So I write all this to encourage you. Even in the small things, like our days off, God can work in HUGE ways to answer our deepest desires. Matthew 7:7 tells us, Ask and it will be given to you. I asked the Lord to show up, and he showed up big time! Not only in the way of confirming his presence even at the largest Hindu temple in the world; but also, to further show just how far his hand is stretched. There is no need for me to worry about what will happen once I get home, because I am already covered with his blessings. The path is already prepared, now I am just the lucky soul who gets to walk down it.
So to all of you I say, ASK, SEEK, KNOCK!
Please enjoy this splendid video us racers and our new friends made. I think after watching this you will understand a little better just how much we enjoyed ourselves this day.
Shout out to Courtney and Becca – love you girls. Thank you for such a great day! I will continue to pray that God showers you with blessings.
