As you journey on something like the World Race there are many things you lose or you leave behind. It is not easy by any means I would never say that. I wouldn’t have in the beginning and 5 months in I can certainly not say it now. The other side of that is you gain so much. Below I am going to write some of the things that you lose and what losing them causes you to gain.
Let’s start with some of the simple stuff:
1. Lose-You will lose nearly 70% to 80% of your clothes. They just don’t all fit in a 75 liter pack. ( many of us tried)
Gain- You pick up some interesting looking clothes to replace the old. You get to make a new mismatch wardrobe.
2. Lose- That smart phone that you loved so much. The one that you could always play temple run on (forgive me for being about 5-6 months behind the latest game fad). Yep that is gone too. (some bring theirs, but at owners risk)
Gain- You get to have authentic conversation with those you are around without worrying about the next text message.
3. Lose- Getting to go to the barber or salon on regular base.
Gain- You get to let people practice for a future career in cosmetology on your head.
Okay let’s to get down to some serious stuff:
4. Lose-Knowing what the rest of your life is going to look like.
Gain- Realizing that it was in God’s hands all along and you finally get to release control. And you get to enjoy the process that comes along with it.
5. Lose- You lose the thoughts the enemy tried to feed you that you had no worth and the Father couldn’t use you.
Gain- A sense of self that you did not know was possible. Knowledge of the inheritance your Father meant for you all along.
6. Lose- You lose a sense of entitlement that was taught to our generation.
Gain- Joy of freely giving of yourself and preferring others over yourself. And with that realizing the kind of joy that comes with seeing those around you smile and feel they have worth.
7. Lose- The ability to hide who you really are from those around you.
Gain- You get to finally be who the Father wanted you to be all along. And you see that hiding kept you from receiving the fullness from the Father. In our weakness He is made strong!
And the most serious one of them all:
8. Lose- Your life. That is the life as you knew it to be.
Gain- This going to be confusing but… YOUR LIFE. Here is why: Mat 16:24-25. Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Let me tell you that last one comes truer every day for me. I am not where I saw myself at 26. Good thing it was not left to me. I would not be living my life any different than I am right now. Picking up my cross each day is taking me to exactly where lose becomes gain.
