So, I have basically become an old pro at this WR lifestyle, since this is my 3rd time around the world. I was just thinking the other day about how there are certain lessons that I am reminded of every “first month” of the race and I thought I would let you in on what God is walking me through…again & again.
1. We all need to be constantly reminded of the truth about ourselves. I forget, too often, who my Daddy says I am. I forget how He created me to function & for what purpose. I forget to act like who I am too. I let things overwhelm me or scare me, that are mere smoke & mirrors used by my enemy to keep me from my ultimate goal…Christlikeness. I am a vessel He uses to remind others of who they are too & I can’t be afraid to tell them!
2. Dealing with conflict is the only way to experience in-depth relationships with my teammates. I end up more afraid of what that person is going to think of me than caring about their growth. I am afraid they won’t want to know me if I hold up the mirror of Jesus. I must be willing to step out & address issues of feedback just as much for their behalf as it is for my own. I can’t expect relationship to form organically & accountability is a major portion of authentic relationships.
3. It is harder to let go of my “comforts” than I thought it would be. I get frustrated when no one speaks my language so I can purchase train tickets & not share a sleeper car with 3 smelly, slightly intoxicated, dry fish eating men. I can’t believe I am going to use a squatty in Europe! I want internet NOW…I have work to do; Skype dates to have, FACEBOOK to check! What is in this “recipe”? We are comfortable, lazy even. We are use to having things when & how we want them. Our focus is drawn back to us constantly. We put ourselves first in line forgetting that our Father told us the LAST shall be first & the FIRST shall be last.
4. It’s not Wrong it’s just Different. There are some crazy outfits…”Check it out!”, and I will never wear heels everyday. If I were in charge I never would have done it that way… So often I hold up our own way of doing something as THE way, when it is really just A way. I judge a contact, community, or person for how they handle, run, or process the issue at hand. I forget that the body of Christ is made up of MANY parts & I am the least of those parts. I forget that He has called me to do things one way, while creating others to accomplish His work another.
5. I have a choice. I can choose to face my struggles head on or pretend they aren’t there. I can choose to prefer others above myself or make sure I get mine. I can choose to love as Christ loved & gave His life up for those He loved, or I can love myself and think only of my betterment. I can choose to die to the things I think I need & become alive to His plan or I can live out of my fleshly ability & exhaust myself quickly.
6. As hard as it is to wrestle…I will reap the reward. I cannot back down from the challenges that come my way. When I feel like I don’t hear my Father’s voice, when I struggle through feelings of past hurts, when I find myself exhausted, dirty & broken: HE GIVES ME A NEW NAME! Only when I am ready to fight FOR HIM & hold out for His blessing can I walk away BROKEN BUT BLESSED!
7. I am a Word from Heaven & I have been sent to fulfill a purpose. I have been called to such a time as this to do what only I have been designed to do. It is my time to shine, my time to step into my identity as a KINGDOM BRINGER! I, as a daughter of the One true King, have been destined for greatness & to help lead this generation into it’s destiny.
8. This CHRIST LIFE is an adventure. In saying yes to anything that my Father wants to do with me, I have no idea what comes next. I might sleep in a tent, have to dig my own latrine, cook & eat food I don’t recognize, learn a new language, experience a new culture, & laugh at new jokes. I will learn things about life & the people who give it color. I will comfort the dying, invite the captive to find freedom, carry the weary, feed the hungry & befriend the outcast; and ALL FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.
9. I am a vessel for God to speak, work, & redeem the common. God has called us, His Holy people, to redeem the common…the things the fall separated from Him. I don’t have to do anything other than be in a state that is ready to receive. “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of His Father.” I have but to open my mouth when He says speak & allow His words to flow. I have but to reach out my hand when He says touch & healing will follow. I have but to ask & seek & He makes Himself known. They will know us, His Bride, by our love for them & for each other. I get to love, savor, & long for His Kingdom. I get to sojourn in this land while seeking the land for which I was created…the City of God, my Father’s Kingdom!
10. MY FATHER IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF THIS! The separation, the discomfort, the lack, the testing, the lessons learned, the brokenness, the accountability, the reformation, redemption, & reconciliation…is all worth it because He is present in all of it & He is Standing for me, His favorite daughter…the one He sought out, the one He paid for with His life, the one He sent for this generation, this World Race, these individuals & these experiences.
