“[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is NO truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44
“The greatest gift/freedom that has been given to mankind is the freedom to choose.” – Ruth Leppard, World Race alumna, A-Squad
One of the biggest lies I tend to believe during difficult seasons of my life is that I don’t really have a choice. That no matter what I do, the outcome of my life will be the same, so why even try and make an effort when it’s only going to result in failure or defeat. This past week, that lie was put to death.
Last Saturday, I went to Gainesville, GA to help out with Project Searchlight, a week-long workshop for World Race alumni. Over the course of the week, after asking for one piece of advice to take with me on the race, I began to notice a re-occurring theme in their answers. It was this idea of choice.
It all began with an exhortation I found in the front of their registration packets to “Choose In.” Later in the week, several different alumni advised us to, “Opt in,” “Choose Joy,” and “Make the decision to show up for our lives.”
We have a choice. I have a choice. In my life and while on the race, there is ALWAYS a choice. I can either choose into the process or I can opt out. When I’m placed in a ministry that I would rather not be in, I can choose to walk in joy of the Lord and make the absolute most of it, or I can grumble and complain for an entire month.
When I have been broken over and over and over again and had my heart ripped out of my chest a hundred times over the injustice in the world, I can either embrace it and give God room to heal the broken parts of my life, or I can completely jump ship and catch the next flight home to Georgia. And in Month 10, when I am E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D, I have the choice to dig deep, press in, and fully show up for my life and for ministry, or go half in and possibly miss the work that God is doing.
L Squad and future World Racers: You too have a choice. You can either choose in or opt out. You can make the decision to show up for your life EVERY SINGE DAY, be fully present, and give everything you have or you can check out half way through the race. It’s your choice. No one can take it from you.
But just as God gave the Israelites (and us) the choice between life and death, and then urged them to choose life, I, too, place before you the option to choose in or opt out. But I strongly urge you to Choose In.
It will be so worth it.
So, Choose In.
Just. Simply. Choose. In.
(Wait, who am I kidding?? if you're on L-Squad, you don't have a choice. The decision has already been made for you. You WILL choose in and we WILL finish this thing together. WITH the JOY of the Lord :D. SO GET EXCITED!!)
P.S. For all of my supporters who are wondering if I made the August 18th deadline, the answer is YES!! The Lord is faithful and He provided 🙂 Thanks to ALL of you who played a role in that. Because of your prayers and donations, I am officially elligible to Launch in September!! So stayed tuned to read about all that God does in my life over the next year and in the nations 😀
