America’s idol

On our last full day in Cambodia at debrief with the whole squad, we finally made it out to Angkor Wat, the amazing temples that put Siem Reap on the tourism radar and shooting grounds for Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider. You may have heard me speak excitedly about these, notably one of the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is certainly in light of my personal anticipation and excitement that these observations flow.

I don’t know what you thought when you heard of this 11-month trip to 11 different countries affectionately referred to as the World Race. I certainly went through every possible perspective of it during my months of preparation, passing from uncontainable excitement to sincere moments of doubt and everywhere in between. I think some of these seasons of doubt are effectively echoed by the sentiment that some expressed quite explicitly in referring to this as “an 11-month vacation.” Of course, it’s not terribly strange to hear of individuals taking this post-college season of life to jet-set around the globe, soaking in all the “wonders” the world has to offer. However, it was my hope and prayer that this wasn’t where the World Race would take me. Sure, I was excited to see the world, but this was never the end-goal. I came to the other side of the world for purposes greater than my desire to see a couple moss-covered temples, taste some new foods and log a few frequent-flyer miles.

As I walked around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, I was certainly in awe of the thousands of man-hours of labor, the intricate detailed carvings, the tons of stones required in construction. Statues of Buddha littered the temple, and the air carried a pretty consistent scent of incense, a constant reminder of what these temples represent. I had cameras in hand the whole day, clicking off shot after shot, the same shots that every person who walks through those temples takes. Part of me rejoiced at being able to check off Angkor Wat from that never-ending list of places to visit, but this joy felt remarkably incomplete. I don’t want to be a cynic here, so I apologize and invite reproach should I come off as such. However, the reality remains that this trip and life itself is not about the neat vacation spots we visit and cramming in all the glamorous travels we can before we all end up in our final destination.

Like any other idol, our vacations hold no salvation, and will not provide lasting satisfaction. Angkor Wat was great, but now it’s on to the next destination on the list. Too many of us are addicted to our vacations, barely lasting weekend to weekend, trip to trip, pouring our resources into this bottomless well of the bigger and better destination. God understands rest, but His Sabbath doesn’t require a trip around the world. Invest in something eternal.