Last night for team time, Jenny had us create personal manifestos- declarations and commitments to what we wanted our lives after the Race to look like. It made me think of what our contact keeps talking about- how our identity shouldn't be wrapped up in the Race, but in Jesus and that this isn't the end, but really, it's just another new beginning. So, here's to life after the Race- life after learning how to truly live.
My manifesto–
I will choose God's truth over my own- believing that my identity is not based on my actions, but on who He says I am.
I will fight temptation with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit that lives within me, letting go of my own standards of perfection, but instead seeking to be blameless and pure before my God, choosing to worship Him with my body.
I will draw near to the throne of grace in confidence and in true repentance when I fall short, allowing the Lord to cleanse my heart and make me new, letting go of my sin and choosing to treat myself with the tenderness and compassion of Jesus.
I will strive more and more every day to understand the grace that has been lavished upon me, surrendering my shame to the One who died in my place.
I will embrace vulnerability in my community and live courageously- letting myself be truly seen and known by sharing the story of who I am with my whole heart.
I will set and respect boundaries in my relationships, seeking to honor and glorify the Lord above each other.
I will love deeply and unconditionally.
I will seek to consider the weight of my words, using them to bring life, and joy, and light.
I will approach conflict with humility, gentleness, and grace.
I will forgive over and over and over again, because I have been forgiven much.
I will never stop seeking to grow, change, and learn- being sanctified through Him to walk increasingly more in the righteousness that is already mine in Christ.
I will strive to live out Isaiah 61- bringing good news to the poor, binding up the broken hearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives.
I will honor the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations both at home and abroad.
I will honor the Lord with my time and money.
I will live passionately, taking risks and always seeking adventure and wonder.
I will not float through life, but will choose to be present in all that I do.
I will choose to practice eucharisteo- to see grace, to give thanks, and to experience joy in all of the extraordinary, ordinary, beautiful moments the Lord gives me.
I will remember to celebrate even the smallest victories.
I will selah- making every effort to truly rest- to pause and reflect on the glory and wonder that is our mighty God and to listen to His voice daily.
I will be constant in prayer.
I will not let panic, anxiety, oppression, apathy, or depression win- I will fight. And I will trust in the One who fights for me.
I will crash the damn chatterbox- not allowing Satan to have any foothold through lies or negative thinking.
I will trust and serve the Lord, through every circumstance, even when I don't want to.
I will walk in the victory and the freedom that is mine.
I will let "Hallelujah, it is finished!" be constantly on my heart and mind, living a life of constant praise and adoration of the One who brought me from death to abundant life.
