I remember a phone call I had about a year ago. I had just finished training camp for the World Race and one of my future squad mates and I were talking about what the next year would look like. “I wonder what this year would look like if I just submitted it to God, constantly allowing him to prune me,” I said. I didn’t know it then, but God would answer that pondering.
I had come onto the race beaten down. I had seen God forcibly remove people and things in my life that I had placed idols in. I was scared to approach Him. I saw little purpose in pursuing anything, because I felt it was only a matter of time before He ripped it away, leaving me hurt and in a worse place than before. What’s more, God had revealed to me that I was selfish, manipulative, and power hungry.
I knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know where to start. So I asked Him to prune me. I took every piece of feedback I received to heart, eager to move away from the man of the past. Slowly, but surely, I saw change, nothing major, but just a progressive work taking place. Then, in Greece, I met breakthrough.
I started reading the book Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship, by Jack Frost (a must read). It was there I recognized I was living as a slave. I wasn’t free. I was seeking pruning so that God could exalt me through it. My acceptance was directly correlated to how “godly” I appeared to people and my place of influence. I couldn’t control the tears in the Thessaloniki Starbucks for the next two weeks. I was so pained by my past sin, the people I had trampled to exalt myself, and mainly, the distance I had created from my Father through those things. The weight of it broke me.
But my brokenness was the doorway to My Father’s heart. Over those weeks, I felt God pour out His Spirit so strongly into me and I was a wreck in His Presence. Holy Spirit was preaching so deeply to my heart who I was as a son. That I am honored because of who I am in Christ. That The Father takes care of all of His children’s needs. That I didn’t need to strive because sons have an inheritance that is passed down by their Father when it’s time.
After this, I spent the last 7 months pruning, but never win the intention to be better, always seeking Him saying “How can I get more of You?” And He revealed place after place that I could shed to walk more as a son, free from slavery to the man of the past.
It has been such a sweet time experiencing His freedom, and pruning has been something I’ve embraced so freely, knowing that every opportunity to prune is an opportunity to experience His love and grace in deeper ways. However, it wasn’t until Peru that I realized everything that my freedom had made available.
In John 15, the chapter on pruning, Jesus says that if we abide in Him, anything that we ask in His name will be done for us. In Peru, I had someone give me a word saying that they felt God was standing behind me asking me how I wanted to continue with life, and that He would honor any door I chose to walk through. Suddenly this verse made sense to me. This past year, God gave me His heart through pruning, He knows the choices I make will be with Him at the forefront, and that if I make the wrong choice, I would be open to be pruned in that area. He essentially told me that He trusted me.
Coming from the place I was in at the beginning of the race, I still struggle to believe it at times, but The Father has confirmed it over and over again. He has reminded me that slaves do what they’re told, but sons partner with their Father to bring the Kingdom in their own unique way. I still well up with love and affection for Him every time I remind myself of this truth and others of His character. He has chosen us to host His Presence. He makes his appeal to the world through us. The honor He chooses to bestow on His children blows me away constantly, but what a joy it is to serve a Father who bestows honor in places condemnation is due. The grace is unbelievable…thank you Jesus!
The World Race ends today, and wow! What a beautiful journey it has been! 11 months ago, I left the United States a slave, but flying home today, I return a son. One who is loved, accepted, and honored by his Father. What a wild ride, and what a Good Father.
For everyone who’s been a part of this trip, I just wanted to say thank you!
To my family, especially mom and dad, your love and prayers from home have always constantly refreshed me.
To the financial supporters, your investment in me has reminded me of my value over and over again.
To the prayer warriors out there, the things you guys shifted in the spiritual world were the catalysts for breakthrough.
To my squad and teammates, your consistent love and commitment constantly encouraged me to go deeper.
To Chrissy, Jake, B-dizzle, Kenny, Lizette, Lil Kim, Marius, Jami, Kevin and Tanya, your leadership and wisdom were such a blessing to sit under.
And finally to Adventures in Missions, the design of this trip, from country hopping to Feedback to CnCs, partnered perfectly with The Father’s work in my life, and for that I can’t be more grateful.
I love you guys,
Andy
