Running A Marathon

 

I believe that God calls us to do many things. Many of us feel led to help others, pursue certain dreams, or simply live out our lives. I believe that God called me into a new season with the World Race.

 

 I jumped on a plane for 11 months of my life and am currently laying in a tent for protection from mosquitoes. I have a small fan blowing on me to stay cool in the middle of Kampong Speu, Cambodia where we have landed to teach English and spread the Gospel. We eat tarantulas (for fun), mix pig feed, move mountains of rock and sand to mix concrete, sweat profusely, play endless games with children. Occasionally you’ll catch the wiff of a cow who just handled his business and our buddy will walk up with an assortment of frogs, snakes, birds, and crabs that he recently caught during the rainy storm.

 

 

I didn’t grow up a country boy, but I love every moment of it. Everyday I get to watch my students laugh with joy as they learn. Everyday I get to see the smiles spread across faces in the community. And everyday I see the fruits of my labor as we work alongside our amazing host to build this school with our bare hands.

 

 

 

 

 

After a long day of work, I sat down in my tent and had a realization. I was exhausted. I had no desire to get up. The next morning, I felt the exact same way. Stagnant, unmotivated, and tired. It happens to a lot of us. We work extremely hard and run into days where where we just want to relax, lay down, and sleep. Sometimes we just don’t have the motivation to get up and do work. So I rolled over and pulled out a picture of what motivates me. It looks something like this (my family).

 

 

 

And sometimes it looks like a letter from a friend, or an old text from a buddy. Sometimes it’s a scripture I have written down or sometimes it’s a song (Mali Music’s “All I Have to Give”) that helps me recharge. To replenish,refuel, and find my peaceful place with the Lord.

 

 

We are all running this marathon called Life. It is full of ups and downs. Bumps and bruises. Highs and lows. BUT we must stay motivated. We must take time to refuel ourselves and reflect on why we do what we do.

 

There are people that are dependent on your actions (whether you realize it or not). Family, friends, enemies, and strangers. You can impact so many different people! There are people just waiting on you to share your testimony. There are people just waiting to hear something different from their average day. For you to stretch out a helping hand or even a small smile. 

 

 

It is easier to sit around and do nothing, than to stand for something you believe in. I believe that we were created to share the Love of Jesus. We were designed to use our skills to be a blessing to those around us. I believe that when we start thinking a little bit less about us, and more about serving our community, we will spark something so awesome!

For me, I’m not just on the World Race, but on a life journey with the Lord forever. The moment I accepted him into my life everything changed. Every day is a new challenge and adventure. Every day I will wake up and rejoice to have life. Every day, I will strive to create a better world. So enough writing for me, and enough reading for you.. Let’s DIG DEEP and go do the thing!