Christ Over Comfort (Training Camp Part 1)
If I had to sum up training camp in a few words, it’s like that camping trip that was harder than you thought it was going to be, but by the end more rewarding than you ever could have imagined. I ate bland food with my fingers in a community plate, but I was nourished. I slept uncomfortably in the cold, but there was always a place to lay my head at night. I hiked with my huge backpack during the man hike for over 20 miles with an achy body, but I finished it. I met strangers when I arrived, but left with a family.
If someone had told me all of the difficult things that occur at training camp before I left, I probably would not have gone. Simply, I wouldn’t have believed in myself to do all of those challenging things that one faces. I don’t like being dirty. In fact, I don’t like being around dirty people. I’m not a fan of giving other people my things, even if it’s for their benefit. I worry that they’ll dirty it or mess it up. I don’t like going past my limits, and don’t dare get me out of my comfort zone. I enjoy my comfort and I love my nice things. God blessed me with comfort, and I always gladly accept it from Him. My things are not to be shared with others, because they are mine and not yours. It’s rude of you to even ask something from me, because you should get your own.
As I arrived to camp, I saw it. Community. I found myself right in the middle of it in Gainesville, GA. There was nowhere to go and no place to hide. Yes, I was stuck camping with these people for the next 7 days. This was my nightmare.
Then, something bizarre happened. These strangers began to bring out the best in me. They brought out Christ who was in me. As the days came and went, so did my selfishness. The community plate of food where everyone ate with his or her fingers didn’t freak me out as much by the end of the week. It wasn’t as painful for me to sleep in a cold tent as the rain poured at 4:30 in the morning, because I was surrounded by 60 other squad mates enduring the same circumstances. I didn’t feel alone. I stopped associating people with their germs, and started seeing them for whom they are. I came to find out that they weren’t these germy people who were going to mess up my things and inconvenience me, but my family whom I delighted in sharing with.
At training camp I realized the worst in me. At training camp I embraced what could be the best of me. Except, the good that was in me wasn’t really mine at all. It was Christ who I had kept stranded inside for so long. I was afraid to let Him take over certain parts of my heart, because I feared losing the comfort that was so dear to me. However, as the comfort vanished, so did my longing for it. Sure, I still missed tasty food and hot showers, but I learned I could live without them. Those comfortable things were no match for my need and longing for Christ.
I didn’t change all that much at training camp. All I really did was just become more aware that I have a choice in this world. I realized that I have the option to choose to do and be better everyday. I can choose to be selfless even when everything in me wants to act selfishly. I can choose to share with others even when I think it’s all mine. I can choose to go deeper with people, and look beyond outside appearances. I can choose to find joy in Christ when the weather is miserable. I can choose the comfort of Christ when my bed feels like a rock. I can choose the assurance and promise I have in Christ when all else seems to be crumbling away.
I choose Christ.
What about you?
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