Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Because I am human, imperfect, selfish…I see things sometimes as they are not meant to be seen. Sometimes when the wind blows I don’t feel that God is hugging me. Instead I feel the dust in my eyes and my hair getting whirled around. Sometimes when the sun shines so bright and beautiful, I don’t feel God’s presence LITERALLY basking on me…instead I feel the hot and the sweat on my body. So instead of seeing the people I have seen as people created in the image of God, I see beggars, poor people, people who “just want my money,” stinky people, people that are not worth my time.

Shame on me. That I would look into the eyes of my Savior and say “maybe next time.” Or “it’s too hot and I can’t possibly sit out here and talk to you.” So I let someone else do what God has called us ALL to do. It is in these last few weeks that I can feel an attack of “you could have done a much better job at this, or why did you waste your time doing that… or see you’re no good at this sort of stuff” and stupid thoughts like that, that I actually catch myself believing. And I am definitely not saying that I haven’t made any mistakes this past year, because this year was not perfect by any means (and thankfully it’s not quite over) and there have been moments (many moments) that have been hard; moments where I have been tired (physically, emotionally, spiritually). But what is beautiful about everything, and about so many things, is to see God in every situation. I think that I am glad that this race hasn’t been perfect. I have seen God’s hand. I have seen Him take a not-so-very perfect situation and turn it for His glory! And along with it, teach me something new about Him and about myself each time.

I am so glad, so thankful, so blessed that He called me on this journey. I am changed, forever, and I love it so much. I love Him. I can’t think of anything better or anything different I could have done in this past year.

So one day…not too long ago when I was angry at the world, for no apparent reason, I see a face. And I IMMEDIATELY know it as Roda, a girl whom I met in Kenya and has since changed my life. And from about 50 meters away she sprints and as soon as she’s close enough she jumps HIGH into my arms. And in that moment…everything is ok. I feel Jesus. I see Him. I know He is here. I know He is with her.

I pray for her. I pray that she would come to know Him even more. That His love would shine on her so much. It is so crazy to think that the Race, this journey that I have been on for as long as I can remember right now, is coming to an end.

I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to go back and talk to each person I have met along the way. I want to never leave the people on my team. I want to see my family and better yet…bring them along next time. I want to just stare at Jesus and all of His beautiful creation that I have been so incredibly blessed to see along the way. I want to encourage everyone that God is so much bigger than anything and whatever dreams He has impressed upon your heart and whatever desires He has given you..He has done so for a reason and we serve a good God. A GOOD GOD, who loves His people so much that it hurts my soul.

I want to thank you. ALL OF YOU. For reading these blogs. If you are reading this, THANK YOU. You have no idea what it means to me. Honestly. I hope that they have somehow encouraged you, or inspired you in some way. Or at least let it be known how beautiful our Creator is… So please know that I mean this thank you. It means a lot, to know that people are reading about the things the God is doing all around the world and that HIS name be known among the nations! What a glorious idea, that God would command the Church to be His vessel, to make His name known, and to spread His love…for His glory. 
So I thank you all for being that Church to the nations and to your hometowns and for supporting and loving me. Thank you.

I love you all.

I cannot believe I only have 25 days left on the race…..