I’m almost halfway through my Race. I’ve experienced a lot of things: I’ve seen people healed, I’ve cast out demons, I’ve tasted the most delicious food and seen the most incredible sights. I’ve met the most amazing, God-honoring people who work tirelessly to bring God’s kingdom to Earth. I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried, and I’ve cried so hard that I start to laugh. I have made deep soul-friendships with people I only met a few months ago. I’ve said hello and goodbye in five different languages, felt heartbreak, and fallen in love with people places and cultures.
And for all that, it’s still SO HARD to be on the Race.
Don’t let the Instagram pictures fool you.
No matter how awesome it is, it’s still really hard.
I’ve missed a lot of things – my sister finished her first year of college, friends have gotten engaged, babies have been born. I missed my own college graduation. And I’m going to miss out on more.
The Race just got really hard. And being in Thailand, Cambodia, ANYWHERE but home is not what I want anymore.
So what happens when this is not where you want to be anymore?
What happens when the places you dreamed about are not as great as you hoped?
When it feels like everything is falling apart on the other side of the world, YOUR side of the world, and you’re here, in a country where you can’t even talk to most of the people and you are constantly sweating and you don’t understand why you’re doing the ministry you’re doing and all your expectations and hopes were disappointed – what happens?
You choose to celebrate.
Celebrating is a spiritual discipline. Celebration is POWERFUL. IT CHANGES EVERYTHING. It can change an atmosphere.
When your heart is heavy, throw a party. Jesus did it all the time. He was the life of the party.
This month, I was placed onto a new team of women, women of power and confidence. Women I deeply admire and have already received so much from. I decided that this would be a team that cultivated celebration.
We were with new people in a new country where we don’t speak the language, living in a house that seemed like it radiated heat. We were thrown into classrooms from day one to teach English to Thai children, something we have very little experience in. We have little control over our schedule and budget and living situation and transportation. There was lots of confusion and miscommunication and transitioning; we just needed something to bring a little joy back into our lives.
So we threw a “Cinco de Coronation Day” party – in honor of the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo and the Thai holiday Coronation Day. Complete with piñata, homemade tortillas, and paper crowns. 
And then we threw a birthday party for our team leader, Cadence, 90’s-themed, of course. Britney Spears, Nsync and the Spice Girls all made an appearance.
And when I reached the hardest point in my Race, when all I want is be at home with my boyfriend, my friends, and my family, when it pained me to look at Facebook because all I saw were pictures of my dearest friends in their red caps and gowns, diplomas in hands, and my heart was aching to be with them,
my team threw me the greatest graduation ceremony you could ever dream of.
And it totally topped any college graduation ceremony you’ve ever been to.
Forget celebrity speakers: I had Mary Forster, a dear friend and teammate who has spoken words of life into me time and time again, and did it once again tonight.
Forget the expensive cap and gown: I had a red Thai scarf and a homemade cap.
Forget the lengthy reading of names: I was the only graduate in the house, so when I threw my cap it wasn’t too hard to find it again.
The one thing that wasn’t missing was the celebration of a monumental accomplishment. In that celebration I felt so known and so loved, and I was reminded of the power of this incredible community, this incredible life I get to live. I was reminded that no matter how hard it gets, it is so worth it.
Not for the cool cultural experiences.
Not for the food or the Instagram pictures.
Not even for all the stories I get to tell.
But because when we show up, God’s Kingdom comes. Mountains sing and trees clap their hands. And people are healed and ushered into freedom. Because by simply speaking the name of Jesus, the atmosphere of a room changes. And you can see it and feel. And it’s so powerful.
So throw a party, and invite all your friends. Jesus is the host, and it’s gonna be a great one!
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price…eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.”
Isaiah 55:1-2
