I'm already a little nervous to post this blog…but I feel this is the number one thing the Lord has been teaching me. So…. Here you go.
The World Race will not fix you.
These words may seem harsh and they may catch your eye in a not-so-positive way. But I’m serious. It won’t fix you.
I’ve always been a searcher. Someone who dreams of, well, dreams. Of traveling the world, changing the world, having for lack of a better word, an epic life.
In my moments of sadness (and trust me I’ve had plenty) I always thought that if I were traveling my level of happiness would increase. If I graduated college my sense of self worth would improve. That if I tried to help the poor and homeless I would have better self esteem.
That if I went on a mission trip my life would be fixed.
That I would no longer feel unexplainable loneliness.
That I would no longer question how important I was to the world.
That looking in the mirror would be easy because I would love the person I saw.
But that is not the case. Even in Greece there were days I couldn’t bear to look in the mirror. Even in Ireland there are days I feel sad and can’t explain why. Because no amount of traveling, or education or achievements or …you guessed it…Not even going on a mission trip can ‘fix’ you.
Redeeming those parts of ourselves that we have always struggled with can only come from God. The qualities we wish weren’t there, the ‘issues’ as western civilization likes to put it won’t go away just because you leave the western world. They won’t go away because you get married or have children or get a PHD and a better job.
Jesus is the answer. And He’s the only answer.
By fully understanding how much He loves us and desires us we can start to work through the issues we have never been able to fix. By finding identity in Christ and not in the world. Don’t get me wrong, the World Race has done WONDERFUL things to propel me towards a better relationship with my God. It has pushed me towards wanting this more intense, real relationship with the Lord!
But I just want to stress to all of you the importance of HOW I’m feeling healthier and how those parts of myself I’ve always hated are slowly becoming parts of me I like. I stress the word slowly, because figuring out who you are in Christ is a long, hard process. But it will be the best thing you have ever invested in.
I’m feeling healthier spiritually, mentally and emotionally because I’ve found Jesus again. But it’s not because I’m traveling the world. I could easily go through this mission trip and skate by. Not asking the hard questions like ' why do I struggle with self elsteem? Why do I struggle with loneliness?" Not trying to find the answers in the Lord. I could get by and I would have a lot of fun. But I wouldn’t be changed…and neither will you. Not until you seek the Lord like He is meant to be ran after. You can meet Him in a dirty garage in Ohio, a church in Nebraska, a playground in California, or a beach in Florida. You can meet Him in your kitchen cooking dinner, as you rock your baby to sleep, as you curl up on your bathroom floor while you have the flu. Because He’s everywhere.
I am, of course, in full support of mission trips. I think they do amazing things for God’s kingdom. If you feel called to go, please go! Don’t ignore the calling Jesus has placed on your life or think I am steering you away from the World Race.
I just want you all to know the one thing that could have saved my life a long time ago.
You don’t have to achieve anything or go to some special place to meet Jesus.
Because Jesus will meet you where you are.
I 'found' Jesus again not because I am traveling the world…
But because a very wise person once told me my problem was that I had spent my whole life searching for someone who didn’t need to be found. Because He was always already right beside me.
And He is right beside you too.
Mission Trips won’t always change your life, Jesus always will.
