Cambodia Lessons

As I write this, I am in the middle of my third trip to Cambodia. It is a country of beauty, both in the landscape and in the people. I am grateful for another opportunity to be here. As I prepared for this trip, the Bible verse I prayed often was Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Leading up to the trip, this verse felt very empowering. Jesus opened doors and led us right through them, shaping the nature of our trip.

Now that we are here, I find this verse very humbling, and I think that is a posture that Jesus likes better for me. Although it was okay to proclaim the power of Jesus as we planned the trip, I think I also tended to (just a little bit) proclaim the power of ME. “Look at what is happening for me as I trust God’s power!” “Look at me, as I show you what God is doing in my life!” I think it is easy to take a couple of steps in the wrong direction when proclaiming God’s power.

God has opened my eyes to how helpless I am without Him. He reminds me of my physical limitations. My ankles have a tendency to swell here in Cambodia. My endurance is limited by the heat. My ability to sleep at night is limited by the 12-hour time difference between here and my home in Rochester, Minnesota. And yesterday, my ability to follow through with the very schedule that God set for us was limited by my body responding forcefully in opposition to something I ate. I don’t have to go into many details, as I think everyone knows what the phrase “stomach troubles” means in relation to foreign travel. It was a miserable afternoon, and I am still recovering my strength.

MY strength. That’s not what I am supposed to rely on anyway! I need to fully rely on “Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” He is the source of all this trip is “supposed” to be. His wisdom should guide my steps. His power should strengthen me when I feel weak. His glory is what I should proclaim. For “when I am weak, then I am strong” – as the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10.

My earthly vessel is 66 years old. As I continue to age, I will rely on Christ more and more, whether I am in Cambodia or at home. God’s power, that is “at work in all generations, for ever and ever” is a gift freely given to me. Sometimes, God gives me physical power, endurance, and health. Sometimes, His power is what holds me up and moves me through weakness, sickness, and fatigue. Either way, all the glory goes to God.

I am grateful for the lessons God is teaching me on this trip, even when they involve “stomach troubles.” God’s way is ALWAYS better than my way.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me accept my weaknesses as I lean on Your strength. Help me accept the help of others as You use them to show me how much you care for me. Help me to always make less of me and more of You. Amen.

Enjoy some of the beauty of Cambodia with me!