Life on the race has been quite an adventure! Not in the sense of what you may think, though. Often times, people define adventure as going out and jumping off a cliff or out of an airplane, diving with sharks, camping with bears, and doing all sorts of things that increase levels of adrenaline in the body.
Webster’s Dictionary defines adventure as: the encountering of risks; an exciting or remarkable experience.
When I signed up on the World Race, I pictured all of the types of things I listed above. Surely if I was going to travel the world I would encounter these things. Yes, there have been opportunities to bungee jump off of the bridge at Victoria Falls, or go to various places that thrill-seekers would consider mandatory. However, what I failed to recognize was that living life out of a backpack with 50 strangers, trekking the globe involves a lot of risk.
There is a risk of not getting along with any of the people I would be stuck with for 11 months. There is a risk of getting ill and having to be sent home. There is a risk of finances not coming in to fund the trip. There is a risk of getting kidnapped and taken to who knows where. There is a risk of being persecuted while sharing the love of Christ. There is a long list of risks that is taken when offering to give up “normal” life to go on an adventure with Jesus.
“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” – Winnie the Pooh
But just like the second part of the definition states, there is definitely a lot of excitement that comes from the things you learn about God when you are willing to trust Him and take risks. The fruit of a spirit of willingness is always a remarkable experience! Not only have I been able to cross some countries off of my list and fill pages in my passport this year… I have also gotten to see God in action! I have witnessed first hand the work that Jesus can do in a hard and closed off heart through the process of allowing Him in. I have been able to see healing right in front of my face and watched tears flow from people’s eyes as He speaks to them through someone else. I have seen chains broken as people speak out against evil that held them in bondage for years and years. I have watched relationships being mended and sincere repentance unfold. I have experienced the blessing that comes through remaining steadfast when things get hard and uncomfortable because of the hope that Jesus will never leave us in any place. When we continue to trust in Him to pull us through the rough places and dark situations, we will always come to know His faithfulness.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
One of the major truths that I have seen over and over again throughout this year is that when we are weak and can’t think of any other ways to fix our problems or make a better plan… He is always right there waiting for us to hand over the reigns and trust that He knows the best way. Many times this year I have come to a point where I am utterly exhausted after trying to fix things on my own; to operate out of my own logic. You would think that I would learn after a few times, but my stubborn self still pushes to do things my way. Go figure. If you know me at all, this won’t be of any surprise to you. Once I am fixed on something, I will not back down.
Although this can be seen in our world as stubborn and obstinate, the Lord has shown me that this is a gift. When operated in my own control, I work against Him to make things happen my way. But when I release control to Him, He can absolutely use my perseverance and determination for good. He has taught me through many arguments that there is so much more power and blessing in my willingness to fight when the commands are given by Him and not me. Because of this determination to not give up and to fight for what I know to be true, He can use me to push the boundaries made by man and reach the middle of His heart. His desire is not to control us and force us to follow Him like mindless robots. His desire is relationship with us and as we release our need to call all the shots, we are able to find the truth about who He is.
He has the power to speak a word and it will happen. He could force us to do anything He wanted. However, He CHOOSES to give us a choice to have a relationship with Him. He CHOOSES to let us fail over and over again and pick us up each and every time. He is patient, and waits however long it takes our stubborn minds to finally surrender, because relationship with us means much more to Him than anything else. The definition of relationship is: the way in which two or more people or things are connected. TWO OR MORE. A relationship is not an indicator of one person by themselves. A relationship takes two or more people. A healthy relationship requires each person to work toward giving up part of themselves for the sake of the other. It requires giving of oneself in order to build up and love the other. The best part about God, however, is that He never changes. He remains constant no matter what. We actually have to fight to choose to be in relationship with Him and when we fail, He is there for us waiting patiently. There is no one on the earth that can say that they will be there 100% of the time regardless of your actions or their own struggles.
When we are willing to let go of the things that make us feel comfortable and trust the Lord with our lives, we are able to have an amazing adventure discovering His heart. We are strengthened as we offer up our lives to be transformed by Him. We must be patient because transformation is not instant.
Molecule: the smallest possible amount of a particular substance that has all the characteristics of that substance.
A song I recently heard struck my heart like a knife and resonated deep in my soul. It connected the truth of what can happen when we surrender ourselves to Him to be changed.
“Molecules” by Wild Earth
“I will wait on You to change me through and through. Rearrange my molecules. Please rewire these desires. By our nature: villainously. Your perfection is reflection of Your finished work in Me. Alter my life. Transform my heart. For I was made to be where You are.”
If the Lord just changed everything and took away all of our pain, we would take advantage of it. We would not truly appreciate what He has done for us. What He does instead is walk through those places of pain with us as He reveals truth to us. He allows us to go through those place while holding His hand and letting Him speak truth over them. He helps us to face fears, face hurt and anger, and witness grace through it all so that we can be transformed and changed forever. This comes in small amounts over time, but if we remain steadfast through it all, we experience a beautiful intimacy with Him that we will never get the opportunity to see by holding onto everything with clenched fists.
It is in releasing everything to Him that we truly experience freedom and excitement. Healing comes when we are willing to trust the Lord and take risks. Adventure is relative to your willingness to let go of control. God does not operate in a man-made box and you shouldn’t remain in one.
Break out.
Be free.
Stop letting fear hold you prisoner.
