Dear Pre-Race Erin (and future World Racers),
I'm writing you from the future, 8 months into your Race to be exact, with some advice that I think might come in handy to you as you prepare to begin this crazy adventure. Some of it you may have heard before or read in other blogs and it just needs to be reiterated, and some of it will be brand new; all of it, however, will help you make the most of the next 11 months of your life.
–PRAY–Ask for peace. Try to CALM DOWN. Relax. Take a few deep breaths. Stop running around trying to take care of every minute detail and not taking time for the things that really matter, like reading your Bible and spending time in worship.
–LISTEN–Start praying for your team(s), your squad, your leaders, your ministry locations, contacts, people you will meet, your transportation and safety, and all things in between. Ask for visions, dreams, and prophetic words. Then LISTEN to what the Holy Spirit tells you.
–DON'T–read anymore packing blogs because they are just stressing you out more, increasing the "how the heck am I going to fit all this junk in a 70L pack?" worry. I'll tell you the answer from experience: you CAN'T fit everything that all 17 packing blogs you've read have told you to bring. Quit buying things right meow. And probably cut the stuff you plan on bringing in half. You'll be glad you did. Coordinate with your team and people on your squad what you're bringing. Hint-in 8 months you're going to be very thankful for your handheld mirror, hair dryer, abundance of underwear, and Pang your pillow pet.
–TAKE HEART–Support raising will not be easy, but take heart because all things, including money, were made by and made for the One you serve. Whatever you do, don't get discouraged. Discouragement will breed doubt, and doubt will breed fear. As a chosen people, we do not operate out of fear. In the name of Jesus, I silence any lie of "I can't do this" that is being whispered in your ear. Fully funded WILL happen. You just can't predict how or when.
–DROP–your expectations. I wrote this in another blog, but it needs to be mentioned again. Have NO expectation coming into this thing except for God to rock your world, because He definitely will. Other than that, just walk by faith and instead of expecting A, B, and C to happen, just be ready for whatever He throws your way.
–BE OPEN–God can only change you, on the Race or in everyday life, if you let Him. Be open to what He speaks to you directly or through other people and to what He's trying to do in your life. Receive feedback gracefully and pray about it. Be open to seeing, experiencing, and hearing from the Lord in different ways than you ever have before. Be open to change; it's the one constant on the Race.
–FORGIVE–quickly. Don't let things build up until it comes out in one big explosion over something really trivial. Conflict can be awkward, but in community this close it's absolutely detrimental to not deal with things and deal with them ASAP.
–REFILL–Take every opportunity you can to get Q.T. with J.C. Savor and relish the times when you really get to be alone with Him because they'll be few and far between. Sometimes listening to music and reading your Bible in a room with 3+ other people will have to suffice as your Q.T. Get used to it.
–OTHER–Be free. Don't let fear of team changes keep you from investing. Be adventurous. Intentionally do stuff that makes you uncomfortable. Write things down. If you're a photographer, bring a camera; if you're not then don't. Bring clothes and other things that will help you feel like "you", but also don't bring things you're not willing to share and/or ruin. Understand that the Race isn't for pansies; it's gonna get REALLY hard sometimes, but don't give up. Get to know people on your squad. Give grace. Question what you hear and test it scripturally. Practice sleeping in strange places and uncomfortable positions before you leave. Only bring what you can carry on your own for an extended period of time. Stop feeling like you always have to have it all together. Remain focused on the now and don't wish and dream your Race away because it seriously will be over before you know it. Work on relationships that don't come as easily as others. Be real.
Laugh. Joke. Sing. Trust. Play. Cry. Scream. Persevere.
Worship. Give. Feel. Pray. Smile. Prank. Dance. Serve. LOVE.
Worship. Give. Feel. Pray. Smile. Prank. Dance. Serve. LOVE.
To be honest with you, there's no way for you to be completely prepared for what you're about to do. No matter what you do trying to prepare, things will still happen that you hadn't even thought about. It's okay. That's what the Race is about! It's about trusting God, depending on Him every minute of every day, especially when situations arise that we have no way to handle on our own. It's about Him giving you strength when you have nothing left. It's about meeting God in a whole new way, totally and fully giving your life 100% to serve Him and serve His people. Embrace the uncertainty, because in a world and a life that are always changing, He's the One who will always remain the same.
I know it's scary and exciting and crazy and you're wondering what exactly you got yourself into, but I promise you've got this! Only because He's got you 🙂
Buckle up, Pre-Race Erin (unless there's no seatbelt, of course). The next year of your life is gonna be a bumpy ride. But it's gonna all be worth it! Stop hyperventilating. Just keep your eyes on Jesus and there's no way you can go wrong.
See you in Ukraine!
Month-Eight-of-the-Race Erin
