Glamping or Camping?
Are you a Glamper or Camper, spiritually speaking?
Today a new type of camping has become popular – GLAMPING. Much easier than traditional camping, this form of camping has taken hold of our culture. So, what is glamping? "Glamping is a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. "Glamping is likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life's luxuries" – Internet description
That sounds perfect to me—camping without the need to lower my travel expectations! There are tents (already set up) with air-conditioning, built-in decks, raised beds, and even concierge service - all the comforts of home and more. For those that love "real camping," this option may sound crazy, but for many of us, I can hear the words, sign me up!
Admittedly, I have never gone traditional camping in my adult life. However, my husband has one memory of camping from our early years of marriage when he and a few dads camped overnight (at the church) with their sons. Unfortunately, our oldest son may not remember this experience because he was under five, and we never camped again. Why? During the night, it rained, and the tent flooded with water, causing everyone to be wet and miserable! After that experience, Steve swore off camping, instead choosing the comfort of hotels. Actual camping preparation is very different from glamping.
From the internet, I found this list of essentials for basic camping:
Tent (and footprint, stakes); Sleeping bags; Sleeping pads; Camping pillow; Headlamps or flashlights (and extra batteries); Camp chairs; Camp table (if no picnic table); Lantern (and mantles and fuel/batteries if needed)
I am sure they only had sleeping bags from that list. As I ponder this reality in 2022, I realize there are times my desire for spiritual comfort mirrors my desire for physical comfort. How about you? I can be a spiritual GLAMPER!
I love the "God will supply all of my needs" part of the Bible, but the "take up your cross and follow me" part is pretty uncomfortable. So, I'll take our American Christianity, where we are "blessed but not stressed," happily posting, "give me coffee and Jesus" so I can spiritually glamp through life and then enjoy eternity with a mansion prepared for me! Can I get an AMEN?
Here's the problem. It's not possible. Our lives are not meant to be cushy.
Remember Abraham? He took off for the promised land, actually living in tents. So, he was definitely camping, not glamping.
Hebrews 11:9-10 (NLT) says:
“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”
And then there is Ruth, who walked away from everything she knew to travel with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. She willingly went, leaving the known for the unknown, not realizing that God was setting her up for the future.
“But Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" Ruth 1:16-17 (NLT)
Comfort is not always our friend. If we want to experience God's best for our lives, we must resist the desire for convenience.
Jesus spoke some powerful words concerning this truth.
“Then he said to all, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it; and what profit is there in gaining the whole world when it means forfeiting one's self?” Luke 9: 23-25
Peter, an early apostle of the church, wrote these words to those who were Christ's followers persecuted for their faith.
"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you." I Peter 4:12-16 NTL
When you CAMP, you prepare to rough it, but when you GLAP, you expect a king-size bed and complimentary breakfast (at least I do!) Here's the tradeoff. Camping allows you to experience adventures you will never have as a GLAMPER.
Spiritually speaking, I want to be a CAMPER and experience ALL the adventures God has for me. Don't you? If we change our perspective of what we expect, we will view our present circumstances differently and prepare for our adventure of faith!
Let's grab our supplies and go for the adventure of a lifetime!
Liz
