It’s a dreary, drizzly Sunday morning here in Transnistria. The chill of fall has settled in as trees began to shed their leaves. The Main Street outside this cafe is occasionally occupied by German autos and people with their umbrellas hoisted high. I’ve got my pandora station playing Frank Sinatra, and I’m pondering this year. We just left the “house” where we were discussing some of the crazy things we have seen and done this year.
I no longer remember to wear a seatbelt in the car. Toilet paper most often goes in the trash can because the toilet can’t handle it. I use Google apps to translate for me, tell me where to go, and send emails. I have approximately 12 different currencies in my purse. My passport was empty when I left America; I now only have four pages left. I wear the same clothes for days at a time. I have to communicate half the time with broken English and my hands, using gestures to explain that we are going to a cafe or need hot water. It’s perfectly acceptable to climb into a stranger’s vehicle to get a ride. People at home do not understand the desire for Mexican food I often discuss. Just trust me, Mexican is not done well anywhere but America.
It’s hard to believe in just 42 days this journey will be over. I’m working to be present in the journey and each day’s opportunity. I’m currently reading through 1 & 2 Timothy. At the end of 1 Timothy, Paul urges Timothy, “guard what has been entrusted to your care.” In 2 Timothy, Paul again says “guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.” He adds that the Holy Spirit will help. My favorite part of verse 12 is where Paul says “I know WHOM I have believed.” Webster’s defines guard as ” to protect (someone or something) from danger or attack.” I started thinking about all the talk we have about home and the people we love and food we miss and clothes we miss and did I mention food we miss? And Jesus convicted me to guard these next 42 days fiercely. Guard what has been entrusted to me.
These next 42 days could be filled with more growth than the last 9.5 months have been and if I don’t protect them and watch for attack from the enemy, I am not guarding what has been entrusted to me. If you read into chapter 2 of 2 Timothy you read verses 3-7, which talk about a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Then Paul says “Reflect on what I’m saying for the lord will give you insight into all this.” So I did just that. I reflected on these three types of people. A soldier. An athlete. A farmer. Each has a very specific goal, an end to meet. A soldier wants success in battle. An athlete wants to win the prize and the victory that comes with it. A farmer wants a good harvest. Solely focused. Each man(or woman) is focused on one thing. They don’t let distraction remove them from their mission. Just like these three, I can guard my time on the race well by staying Kingdom focused. If I wrote my own addition to Pauls verse here it would go something like this: a World Racer isn’t focused on the affairs of America, dreaming always of Mexican food, wishing away the days until touchdown on American soil. The World Racer is focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus bringing hope, grace, and love to the broken and weary of the world. They plant seeds that the Farmer will come and harvest and help bring the harvested into the barn. They suffer afflictions well and with dignity for the sake of the Gospel.
So here’s to 42 days of guarding what has been entrusted to me. To being even more Kingdom focused than the other 274 days I’ve been on this journey. I will keep fighting the good fight.
