World Racers are equipped with everything we need to know about where we are going and who we’re working with. And one thing we were told was about people’s journey to get to the Lord. Adventures in Missions used the analogy of a clock face; and getting to 12 is accepting Jesus in your heart. As racers, we were told that a lot of times we don’t see people go from 11 to 12. We see people go from 1 to 2, or 5 to 6, or even 10 to 11. But seeing/contributing to the 11 to 12 is rare.
Of course, everything goes in our heads and we understand the concept of what is being said, but there’s always the thought of, “Oh, that doesn’t apply to me” “I’ll be able to get people to 12” “Good information… for others” But, the longer I’m here, I’m realizing that I may never see someone go from 11 to 12. I might only get people to go to 2 or 6 or 10 but not 12.
And, it’s a harsh reality.
Especially as my team has so many different ministries and there are so many people that we see and interact with on the daily, I have to keep this in mind. That, as much as I want to be able to help people get to 12, it’s not likely. That I have to be content with just shifting the clock to 2, or to 3. And that someone else will see these people get to 12. I have to keep in mind that just because they aren’t at 11 or 12 yet, doesn’t mean that they are any less deserving of love. Or that we should stop serving them. Or we should stop being an example of how to live a Christ-like life.
But, it’s still hard.
It’s hard knowing I am in a place, and will be in other places, where there are people that know of God, but don’t have a relationship with Him, and I (most likely) won’t be the person to get them there. And when we leave, who knows what these people will do. Will they go back to their regular lives? Will they forget about us? Will they start asking questions about God? Will they contact our ministry contact and ask questions about everything we believe in? I don’t know. And I can’t control it, either. All I can hope and pray for is that the love of God stays with these people and the people that will come here, and that someday, someone will be able to lead these people from 11 to 12.
