Going on the Race is a huge decision. It means saying “yes” to the uncertain and uncomfortable. It means saying “no” to the familiar and convenient. And I’ve had to continue making that decision since day one.
Myth: The World Race will change your life.
Truth: The World Race holds no supernatural power to transform you into a new person– only God can do that.
I’ve been on the Race for over 5 months and I KNOW how easy it would be to finish completely unchanged. Sometimes it even begins to feel like ordinary life out here. And it’s easy to slip back into normalcy— especially when wifi, AC, and real beds are readily available (thank you, Vietnam). Sometimes you’ll be in a great big city like Ho Chi Minh and your assigned ministry is delayed for 5 days because of the Chinese New Year, so you’ll begin to forget what you’re here for. You might even begin to believe the lie that is printed on your visa— that you’re a “tourist.”
But you CAN prevent all that, because the race is what you make it. So here’s 6 things you’ll need to say “yes” to every day while you’re on the Race if you really want to grow:
1) Pursuing Jesus: This doesn’t just come by default! You are going to have to actively pursue Him every day on a personal level. It is absolutely possible for your whole team to grow closer to Him and leave you behind, so make this a priority. The Race is a beautiful opportunity to know Him better in a ‘big picture context,’ so don’t pass that up.
2) Community: Your team will serve two roles- your friends and your family. Open up to them. Love them well by being vulnerable with them. You’ve probably never experienced friendships this safe before.
3) Ministry: Let’s face it—You probably won’t like every ministry assignment. In the case that you don’t….smile and fake it. Your team, your squad, and your ministry host will be grateful that you did. And go ahead and make the decision to be a good steward of your time here. I promise you, it will fly by.
4) Growth & Change: You will be challenged. People are going to see potential in you that you didn’t know was there, and they are going to call you up to it. Receive it with joy because it was given in love. Ask for feedback and take the steps toward growth. When it comes down to it, growth is all on you.
5) Loving People: your team (and life in general) works best when it is a place of high preference, high honor, and high consideration.This means putting others above yourself. You’ll soon realize that the world does not revolve around you, and you’ll be grateful it doesn’t.
6) Taking Risks: You’re surrounded by a community of believers who are pursuing Christ together— this is the safest place to take a risk. But it won’t be easy… or natural. So when the opportunity presents itself, pray for the crippled man on the side of the road and believe God for healing. Say “yes” when you’re asked to preach a sermon on the spot and watch God show up. Share the Gospel with the woman sitting beside you on the 22 hour bus ride to your next country. It’s amazing what God will do when you make room for Him to move in a big way. Be the crazy one who initiates the culture of risk-taking on your squad… it only takes a spark to start a forest fire.
Don’t waste your race. Make the decision ahead of time to go all in!
If you’re contemplating whether or not the race is for you, shoot me a message. I’d love to talk you into it 🙂
May You Be Covered In His Dust,
Hanna
