Being Obedient to God's Call: Courtney Nash
In the middle of a hot, humid, and controlled jungle in Cambodia lie a few villages that have been heavily impacted by the Lord through numerous encounters with His children. In a desolate land, both physically and spiritually, God has presented showers of blessings. Though we can receive God freely, these blessings come with a cost on both sides. It is a weekly experience mentioning the crucifixion, the lynching of Jesus Christ. It was a wage made when the life of God’s faultless Son was taken for minding His own business - the Lord’s business. Before that wage was made complete, there were a period of time and particular events that took place in order to prepare people involved and for the event to play out like it did.
Sunday mornings are a time that some look forward to at New Hope for Orphans Orphanage. A group of eight to ten teenagers gets ready for a bike ride to a village that has recently taken an interest in Christianity. Passing through such natural and beautiful landscapes puts my mind and heart in silence and reverence. It is now the rainy season, meaning that almost every day it’s a torrential downpour. On a good day, we will arrive at our destination in approximately twenty-five minutes, but if it has rained the night before, it can take up to forty minutes pushing through bumpy roads of thick mud, huge rain puddles, and occasional snakes. What I love about the struggle is that we all find joy in it. It's a kind of joy that allows us to remain centered on fulfilling our purpose in reaching out to this village without letting the external factors become a hindrance. We do not ignore the factors. Rather, we embrace them as real things that have an effect on us and endure.
When I say that we've endured, it is not to be taken lightly. Our physical, mental, and emotional fitness have been tested. We would start off completely dry and clean and show up to our destination dusty, drenched in sweat, with a hint of teenage musk. It's pretty vigorous in 90-100°F heat in the morning. When it's time to make a move within the village on foot, the children can be tempted to walk around in circles and not want to approach anyone because of their fatigue mixed with being nervous, so every now and then I'll have to encourage us and lead us to the first house (if it's a new house).
What comes to mind is God’s people coming close to entering the Promised Land under Joshua’s instruction. There’s something Joshua tells his people before they set out for their journey:
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders before you.” Joshua 3:5 (NASB)
Besides setting ourselves apart, I have learned that part of consecrating oneself is being obedient to God’s call. Where He calls us may lead us to a path with many obstacles waiting for us, but if He has called us, then that means we are prepared and fit for the occasion. Though we stumble or see something that we believe is not possible to overcome, we must move through in faith! It is in faith where we break the chains and vices of the Enemy! On the path to the Promised Land, God’s people encountered the Jordan River with its banks overflowed with water. I can only imagine children of different ages making it across, as well. Some thought of turning around from the beginning of their journey.
We must prepare ourselves for God’s work, and in the midst of carrying out His work, we will be prepared by Him. We must seek Him and center ourselves in Him. We must also carry out what it is God wants us to do. When we are out evangelizing and we get tired and begin to doubt ourselves, I remind us that this is a matter of trusting God. We did not come this far to just walk around in circles, did not fall off of our bikes in vain. We did not get all sweaty just to dry off. We have not come this far in our faith (our life) to be passive. God has prepared us. We are equipped. There are people wanting relationship, truths to be proclaimed; people who need prayer, and ultimately, Jesus. God has allowed this opportunity in ministry to fall upon us, so let’s take it and own it with the equipment God has given! Let’s commit ourselves to the work and watch God do wonders!
Courtney Nash is now going on his third year living amongst the beautiful people in Cambodia. He spent many years dedicating his time to The Wesley Foundation community. Anyone who meets Courtney knows how incredible he is. Jesus radiates through Courtney in a very unique and phenomenal way. He makes people feel known, loved, and cared for. He truly is a man of God.