Paradise Blessings
15 August, 2014
Luke 3:14
“What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Do not exhort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
My Magic Bullet blended perfect fruit smoothies; my Lauren Conrad bed-set kept me warm and cozy; my built-in car GPS kept me safe; Laguna Nails kept my color chip free. I’d say life before the mission-field was pretty nice! I had an abundance of fast-food joints in my town... “I’m Lovin’ It. Have It Your Way. Eat Fresh. Think Outside the Bun.” They were as easy as a five-minute drive. Hungry for chicken? Hit KFC. Feeling pizza? Dominoes on speed dial. Craving subs? Jimmy Johns delivers.
Having attended college in Malibu, I was accustomed to fast-paced living. I’ve bumped shoulders with countless celebrities, driven past the latest Maserati model in every color, and interned at major modeling shoots and upscale parties. Many college peers came from prestigious families with easily recognizable last names of major corporations and parking next to a Lamborghini in our college lot was nothing to blink at; the abnormal was normal.
As an incoming sophomore transfer student, I was in shock. “People actually live this way? They really wake up to the Pacific Ocean? Celebrities actually shop at the Ralphs Market down the street?” I was in awe of the people at my school; “Brody Jenner actually kissed you? Your dad really owns that company? My lab partner is actually a Persian prince? You’re dating Mel Gibson’s son?” I was like a kid in a candy store, giddily learning more and more about my new California life.
After a few months, I started to get bored of paradise. I overlooked what I had once cherished, ignoring the magnificence of the blue ocean, the fancy houses, and the towering cliffs. It was no longer exciting driving through the famous Malibu canyon, and I rolled at eyes at star tour buses. I had grown almost completely numb. Beautiful architecture or white sand beaches or celebrity sightings was no longer cool, it was just another part of my days. I took everything for granted, overlooking all the blessings I was given.
One of my dear friends has a large family, and they were planning to stay in the Presidential Suite of the Shutters Hotel, Santa Monica’s classiest resort. Since she’s from the Midwest, her family got hung up by snow and was coming a day later than the plan, and it was too late to cancel. My friend invited me and another girl to spend the night with her in the classiest hotel room I’d ever seen. There was a dining room, parlor, office, sitting room, two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two balconies. It was overlooking the Santa Monica pier with the best view in town. The suite easily cost well, well above $1,000 a night, and I (by the grace of my generous friend) was staying in it for free! On top of that, I was given the master suite while the other two took the guest suite. The bathroom was as big as my apartment back in Malibu, and I took full advantage of everything available. I drew a huge bubble bath, turned a movie on the bathroom television, and ate the free snacks that had awaited our arrival from the dining room. The bathroom necessity basket was massive, full of every salon product I could ever need, from hand exfoliator to eyebrow pencils to ankle buffers. After having my fun in the bathroom, I snuggled into my Egyptian cotton King Sized bed and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves.
After room service pancakes the next morning, I hopped in my car, drove the 20 minutes back to school, and was in class by 8 AM. I lived my day as if it was no different than any other, forgetting about the incredible night I’d had, instead thinking about the next extravagant adventure I’d embark on, the next cool restaurant I’d try, the next beach I’d explore.
As I lay in bed the following night, it hit me how selfish my thinking was. How could I overlook such a special gift of staying in a first-class Penthouse? Had I really fallen so low that nothing impressed me? Was I Malibu Barbie brainwashed?
Praying for humbleness, I began counting my blessings as if I was seeing everything with a new light. I asked God to rekindle the wonder and amazement I’d once had as a newbie Cali girl, and He graciously answered my prayer. Being not only content but amazed at what God blesses you with is essential, and my days in Malibu made that very clear.
In 2 Samuel 7, God says “I have always moved from one place to another with a tent as my dwelling... I have never once complained or asked ‘Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?’” Breaking down the word content, the word ‘tent’ stands out. God was content living in a tent, yet I wasn’t grateful sleeping in L.A.’s finest suite. Who am I to have higher standards than my creator, God? God calls us to live free of idols, keeping a humble heart and mindset of a servant. Living in Guatemala, the Lord has graciously been helping me find contentment in every situation. Through His eyes, I can see my home here as the Taj Mahal. With Christ, I can bear all things, knowing I have a home in Heaven’s palace. With a promise like that, who needs a Penthouse?
