It’s been a while since I’ve written and now I am officially home.
Home is a weird thing. Especially now after traveling for 11 months.
11 countries in 11 months teaches you more than you could ever think possible.
One of the main themes for me throughout the entire race was….ABANDONMENT!!!
I thought, “Sure I can give things up for a year. no problem.”
But what I didn’t realize was that I wasn’t just giving up home or comfort or friends or family. No.
God was going to ask me to give up so much more. All to glorify Him.
Once you’ve traveled for a few months with only the possessions you can carry with you something strange happens. You begin to really focus on the things that matter. The people you are meeting, the relationships you are building, walking daily with Abba, seeking His heart, and desiring more and more of Him.
There are less distractions. Less things. Less worry over the material things and more concern for bringing God’s kingdom wherever you go.
This past year abandonment took on a whole new meaning. I abandoned who I was for someone who looks more like Jesus. I slowly became someone who can never return to “normal life.” And truth be told I can’t go back to “normal.” “Normal” is not normal anymore. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore. And comfort, as attractive as it is, is really something I can live without if that means I am helping those in need like we are called to do.
This year I abandoned more than I ever realized I would. I discovered true abandonment when I gave up things that were holding me back from Abba:
Abandoned comfort for truly understanding the life of the impoverished.
Abandoned cellphones to connect with real human beings
Abandoned people pleasing to walk in FREEDOM!
Abandoned death to walk in LIFE
Abandoned lies from the enemy to walk in TRUTH
Abandoned my will for HIS WILL
Abandoned my offenses to experience HIS GLORY
Abandoned my mindset to walk with the HOLY SPIRIT
Abandoned my perspective to see people the way MY FATHER DOES
Abandoned things for EXPERIENCES AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE
Abandoned my grip on control to live everyday for HIS PLANS
Abandoned my past for HIS FUTURE
Abandoned my stubbornness for a love of PLEASING HIM
Abandoned earthly treasures for SOMETHING HEAVENLY
Abandoned easy topics for the HARD CONVERSATIONS
Abandoned isolation for COMMUNITY
Abandoned emotional baggage for VULNERABILITY
Abandoned expectations for NEW REVELATIONS
Abandoned it all because HE’S THE ONE THAT REALLY MATTERS!!!
My choice of abandonment opened my eyes to new places and people who have nothing to abandon but choose to give it all to God anyway.
I was privileged to experience this abandonment that took me into a deeper intimacy with God than ever before.
God has taken me to places that absolutely have broken my heart this year. But in those places I have found more joy and peace in Him than I ever knew possible. I have laughed, cried, and even fought with Him. But ultimately He knew exactly what I needed in every exact moment.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart….” Jeremiah 29:11
Uyuni, Bolivia * July 2016
Our English Class…Amazing kids!!
Salt Flats
Sunset on the salt flats. God never ceases to amaze me with His beauty
We serve an AWESOME GOD!! He’s such a GOOD, GOOD FATHER!!!
