Circumstances in Cambodia…
Before coming to Cambodia I had this sinking feeling. I’d heard from other racers that Cambodia was often a country where living conditions were more basic. I’d just had two months of having a bed, a western toilet, hot showers and wifi. I wasn’t feeling too keen to give that up for back to basics. I’d grown comfortable with comfort.
I don’t know whether it was intuition or not, but I had a sense that for the month I would be somewhere remote, rural and with very basic living conditions. Honestly, it was the last thing I wanted. So when that was confirmed to me as my team leader read our set up sheet for the month, my heart sank. I clung to the fact that it was a short month of just over two weeks. Little did I know God had a powerful lesson to teach me.
During our time in Cambodia we stayed in a village outside of Kampong Chnang. We affectionately named our house the treehouse as it was a house of two or three rooms raised up on stilts. We slept on the floor under mosquito nets, which each night I lined with just about every object I could find to ensure that the mouse could not get in. Sometimes it was really hot at night, but I still sweated it out in my sleeping bag liner because despite the fact that I was under a net, it was full of holes and I didn’t want to wake up covered in bites. Our bathroom consisted of a squatty potty and shower head next to it. Each time I showered I braced myself for the shocking cold water. When I did my laundry by hand it rained for days afterward so it wouldn’t dry and I had to put on damp clothes. I ate more grains of rice than I’d care to count and went hungry nearly every day. Sounds like I’m complaining right? But honestly I’m not. All these things could have really bothered me, and all together they could have ruined my month.
However, during that month God taught me not to find my comfort in circumstances and things but instead to find it in Him. All too often we want to cling to comfort. To cling to circumstances which are good and comfortable. But the thing is circumstances always change. Nothing lasts forever. The only true constant is God. He is the only one who never changes. In midst of changing circumstances and a lot of uncertainty on the World Race, God is teaching me that the only thing I need to cling to is Him. He is like a rope that guides me. Circumstances in Cambodia were not easy, but it was also one of the most joy filled months I’ve had on the Race. If I’d allowed myself to get dragged down by them maybe I would have missed out on seeing that.
On one particular day in the month I found myself yearning for Western food like iced coffee and ice cream! Then God gave me a reality check. Those things are wonderful and when I have them I am grateful and enjoy them. But I’m not entitled to them. I shouldn’t be idolising them and discontent without them. I started off just joking that I was being like Paul when he says:
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
But this month God has really taught me that. When I have little or things are tough it is still possible for me to be content. And when I am in plenty, then what a wonderful treat which I will enjoy. I know this because I know it’s not the constant I cling to anymore, whatever comes God is still he same and He is what sustains me. As I cling to the Lord my strength and my joy consistently come from Him. No one or no thing, no circumstance good or bad is going to steal my joy, because it comes from my Father. As we loosen our grip on things and circumstances, we are free to see what God has for us, to enjoy the richness of time with Him instead of being distracted by things around us. I’m so grateful I had a month of quiet in the Cambodian countryside, because it taught me I don’t have to fear circumstances any more.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32
