Adapting

When we went to Guatemala there were a number of things that we had to adapt to... and instantly.

*  Not touching the shower head while in the shower due to the electricity running directly to it.

*  Hand washing with soap and water but then following immediately with alcohol hand rub... every time... to kill the bacteria still on your hands from the water. 

*  Throwing your used toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing as their plumbing system can't handle the paper.

*  Using a water bottle for all water needs, including brushing your teeth.  Forgetting and putting your toothbrush under their running tap water even briefly demanded that brush be put into the trash and starting with a new toothbrush.

*  Not opening your mouth in the shower in any form... talking, singing, rinsing, etc.  The goal was to get NO water in your mouth.

At first these items required conscious thought and intentional purpose to accomplish each one.  However, I was surprised by how quickly they just became more of habit.

I was even more surprised at how quickly I had adapted to them.

After passing through customs to enter back into the states, I entered the airport public restroom. 

*  My first instinct was to look for a trash can rather than flushing my tp. 

*  After washing my hands, I instinctively reached into my bag, pulled out and even used my hand sanitizer before I realized I didn't need to do that anymore.

*  That evening when brushing my teeth, I grabbed for a water bottle before remembering I could turn on my sink.


And all of this got me to thinking...

I was surprised at how quickly my thinking and even basic lifestyle behaviors changed in such a short amount of time.

I wonder how often that happens in other areas of my life?  And how quickly? 

Am I consciously aware of what all is coming my way in my day to day of living?  Am I armed and ready to tackle each one, determining whether it is worth my time of adapting to?

Am I focused and intentional in identifying those things and areas that would not be beneficial for me to adapt to?

I think we would be amazed to discover how quickly we adapt to the things around us... good or bad.

What are you adapting to?


Romans 12:2

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)
  
"Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (MSG)