So I recently made an acquaintance through twitter, who is
about to go on the World Race (gotta love social media). Anyways, they asked me to offer some advice.
As I thought about responding, I realized I could never
answer adequately over twitter, or even facebook. A blog post crossed my mind, but I worried that none of my blog readers care about “what to know before you go on the
WR.”
Then it hit me.
The life I encourage future Racers to live isn’t World Race
specific. In fact, I should live like
this every single day. It’s less about
how to get most out of the World Race, and more about how to get the most out
of life itself.
So with out further ado, here are a few lessons every World
Racer should take to heart before they leave (and all of us should take to heart
before we leave our houses in the morning).
1. Intentionally get the most out of everyday
There are plenty of days on the Race that blow your
mind. Days that you know, in the moment,
you’ll look back one day and remember.
However, there are probably more days that will much more
easily drift by.
I think this is a topic that many people struggle with
(World Racers in particular). Sometimes
its easier to live for the ‘moment’, those epic adventures and crazy stories of
how good God is, or how broken you were, or what unbelievable thing you just
did.
But the truth is, Jesus promised us the abundant
life. Everyday. That means the abundant
life doesn’t hinge upon fun or exciting circumstances, the community of people
around you, the closeness that you “feel” to God, or anything else. The abundant life rests wholly in Christ’s
death, resurrection, and life in us.
Thus each new day should be “life to the full.” Sure it will look differently; the important
thing is that you are intentionally looking for it.
2. Open up your mind to new ideas and experiences
This one is one of my favorites, because I loooooove trying
new things. I love learning foreign
concepts, trying new experiences, challenging my thinking with new ideas. It makes life so much more interesting, turns
you into a well-rounded person, and most importantly, strengthens my
understanding of truth and breaks my grasp on error.
So go raft the Nile, eat cow intestines, invite locals over for
dinner, challenge your theology, stay up late talking with a teammate while you
stargaze.
The World Race is the PERFECT place to do all these
things. Honestly the whole trip is far
different than any typical American has ever experienced. You have ample opportunities for crazy
adventures (sleep when your dead people, I promise it’s worth it). You are immersed in a community that fosters the expansion of your understanding of God.
And you visit a variety of cultures with crazy different worldviews than
you’re your own.
See, we don’t know everything. Unfortunately, from time to time we act like we do, and prevent our eyes from being lifted up to see God more clearly.
We hate discomfort stemming from cognitive dissonance
(that internal frustration of conflicting ideas). Yet it is in that friction, where we wrestle
with truth, that true understanding begins to reveal itself.
You know the things that are incontrovertible (i.e. God’s
sovereignty, salvation by faith alone through Christ alone, etc.) but besides
those things don’t be so priggish. My dad told me once, “the truth has nothing
to fear by being questioned. It’s the
truth, therefore it will only be proved correct.”
When we question and challenge our belief systems and
worldviews, errors crumble away, while truth is fortified.
3. Force yourself to grow
The crazy thing about mission trips, is that while they
provide the perfect “greenhouse” for growth, at the end of the day it’s up to
you.
The first 2 ½ months on my Race, I was trusting in the Race
for most of my growth. I would occasionally
get into the Word, occasionally spend time in prayer, occasionally look for my
sin. Turns out, halfway through month three, I hadn’t grown all that much.
There were friends who pushed it even further than me. They decided how deep they wanted to trudge into the Father’s vastness and no more.
“I gave up food, and family, and hot showers…what else
do you want from me God??”
And honestly…they weren’t very different upon returning home.
I can promise you this.
There is a ton more selfishness, pride, entitlement, self-righteousness,
and more inside of you then you realize right now. GET IT OUT. Do whatever you can to expose sin in your life. Pray that God would reveal it to you. Allow your teammates to speak into you
life.
Better yet, BEG
people to give you constructive feedback.
And then after you receive it, actually repent of your sin. With genuine passion ask God to eliminate
this evil rebellion inside of you. Zero
in and vehemently attack anything that is not of Christ.
The funny thing is, this all sounds difficult and very much
unenjoyable. However, everyday we allow
sin to exist in our lives we are missing out on the fullness, the richness of a
life in Christ.
Think about that for a second.
If you don’t fight with righteous aggression against the sin
in your life…you are going to miss out on some of the supernatural sweetness,
the unimaginable joy, the unknowable love of our Heavenly Father.
That’s probably all anyone could read in one sitting…but if not check out Part 2! (its even better, i promise)
