Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Why is it that it’s easier to write the good blogs…the blogs that encourage and tell about what God is doing and how he is being revealed to the lost, poor and needy? Why are the personal stories – the ones of us being shaped – often the hardest ones to tell?
 
James 1:2-6 tells us  to have joy admist our trials. This verse has impacted my life in many ways, and is once again a passage I have been meditating on!
 
I have a hard time admitting my weaknesses. My fears and failures. My struggles and pain. God is revealing himself to me in amazing ways. That’s a good thing. He’s also been revealing to me who I am and it’s often not easy to accept and deal with. It’s not always a “pretty” sight or a “soft” whisper, either! I am being softened. I am beginning to break. I am tossing and turning. I am being pruned. I am learning the hard way that I can’t always be right, be in control or have my way (and to think that I thought I already learnt this). The combination is not good. I need to get over it and on with it. I need to trust God and just be. I need to get over myself! I am blessed to know that I AM NOT ALONE! He is always with me, and there are also 53 other people dealing with and going through very similar things.

I can’t exactly say that life here in Azua, DR has been comfortable, but I also can’t say it’s taken me completely out of my comfort zone. I have done missions work before. Infrequent showers and not flushing toilet paper is not a new concept. The ministry is enjoyable. The people are great. I am blessed…to be honest, that’s been the easy part so far! How can I complain when WE plug the toilet and our host is reaching in trying to fix the problem – with a huge smile on his face. When we ask to help, he just says ¨No thanks. It’s my pleasure to serve you.¨

Living in community is a different story! I’ve always wanted to experience it. It is different than a College or University dorm life. I LOVE it, but it’s hard. Alone time means that there are at least 7 other people around. It’s rarely quiet. Sharing is a must…with almost everything! This is where I am being stretched, tried, frustrated, and pushing myself to new heights. This is where the old me has to be put on the shelf and the new me has to come to life. I absolutely love my Squad. I adore my team. I can’t complain as to what God has put together for this year. We are growing – all of us! It’s gonna take just a little time for things to all come together. It’s gonna mean we have to work together.

We are always being tested. As racers, we are stepping out of our comfort zones. We are putting our selfish ways aside…well, at least we are trying to. It will take some of us longer to do so than others. We are a team. We have to learn how to get along. How to live in community. How to encourage each other and build each other up. We need to learn how to be vulnerable and share our hearts desires – the good AND the bad, about God and about our personal stuff. We need to get rid of self and focus on God. I am learning how to be selfless, not selfish! I’m just learning it the long and hard way. (Check out Psalm 119:33-40, Philippians 2:1-11 and James 3:13-18 for passages I have been reading about on selfishness)

Regardless of whether you are a fellow Racer, a parent, a pastor, sister or brother, friend, relative, mentor or the like, we need to trust and believe that God is in control and that He will bless us in greater ways than we can even imagine! Just because you are not half way around the world, God is still moving and can shape you in so many ways. You just need to let him. Are you willing? You too can move mountains and make a difference. Get over yourself and get a hold of God!