Ireland. Ukraine. Russia. Kenya. Tanzania. Mozambique. India. Nepal. Cambodia. Challenge: Asia. Malaysia.
"Whoever serves me must follow me…" It's interesting to hear Jesus make this point in John 12. It seems like He's making a clear point about a tendency that people have. Jesus is saying, "Make sure that if you're one to serve me, you follow my steps as well." It's not just about serving Jesus through our time and efforts. It's also about following Him. We can't just be missional.
It's been hard to announce my leaving to friends, family and church members. So many people want to congratulate me on my bravery and willingness to abandon life as they know it. While I understand this isn't an everyday activity for most people, I've come to the realization that it's just missions. That's all. It's not glamorous–showers aren't a guaranteed and neither are results. This is just a lengthy stay in different parts of the world where our group will have the opportunity to share the Gospel through word and action.
Since I signed up for the World Race last October, Jesus has been pouring into me ideas, relationships and prayers that I need to birth or ask for before I leave in July. He has been doing this through a series of bedtime revelations. Sometimes, it's simply the vocal realization that I need Him to cover everything that I can't with the World Race. But, mostly, it's Jesus revealing to me things I need to do before I leave.
One of these bedtime revelations centered around the people I would encounter while on the race. My prayers have been drenched with my possible inability to help anyone or share Jesus with any soul, believing or not, the entire 11 months while I'm gone. So, Jesus gave me this prayer: May I have one person per country the entire time I'm gone who I can truly influence. One soul–believing or not, hungry or not, thirsty or not–that I can encourage, love on and speak to.
That's the thing: missions is just about as amazing as any other job I will ever hold. Sure, it's a bit out of the ordinary for me, but so is cleaning my closet. Missions is just an avenue of the Lord's work. What every World Racer and supporter has to be careful of is that we don't forget that Jesus called us to follow Him as well.
We can't just be missional. Jesus was clear–we must also be followers. We must be the type of people who cling to the Word, chew on it's truths and then digest them into action. We must look to the One we follow and lead the life that He has called us to lead.
11 countries. 11 months. 11 people. Let's serve the broken, but let's follow the Healer.
