One of the greatest aspects of being Unsung Heroes is being able to meet so many people who are trying to glorify the Kingdom of God in which any way God has called them.
In Phnom Penh, we were put in contact with a former Racer named Kristen. It was the first time on the Race I was able to meet someone outside our squad who knew what we were going through. Someone who really understood what it was like to be stuck in the month 7 slump. Someone who understood why we were tired.
Kristen met us for lunch and then offered for us to come over to her home. She gave us peach tea and butter cookies and just talked with us. She got to know us on a deeper level and poured life into each of our team members.
When we saw her at church a few weeks later, she gave each of us a book (Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk). Before giving us the book, she prayed specifically for each of us and wrote us an encouraging note. I would like to share mine:
Lindsey…
You are creative. Do you know that already? I am sure you do, or you at least have an inkling, or maybe you are a complete math and science kid and don’t believe you have a creative bone in your body…I don’t know. But I believe there is a way – different from any other way that you have tried before – a different avenue of worship to The Lord that He wants you to start using in order to connect with Him. Is there something God has laid on your heart to try? Music, poetry, painting, clay, harmonica? Anything?
Our God is a genius creator. Crazy, unique things He has made, all good. And I believe He put that heart in you. You were made to create. Just do it. Just start. Don’t let fear stop you.
Love, prayers, and big big hugs,
Kristen
The reason this note meant so much to me was because I am a complete math and science kid and never thought I had a single creative bone. I always appreciated the beauty of the things people around me created but I never thought I could be the person creating it.
Because of this, I was limiting my relationship with God. I thought my relationship had to be logical. A + B = C. Go to Church + Never Sin = Relationship with God.
But a relationship with God is illogical to anyone observing from the outside, but that is what makes it so beautiful. Stepping out in faith and knowing He is there is wonderful. You don’t go to church to earn God’s love, but rather you love God and therefore want to go to church. You don’t avoid sin to avoid being struck by lighting, but you avoid sin because you are filled with His love instead and no longer need sin to fill voids. And even knowing that if you make a mistake, His grace is endless and that alone is absolutely mind-blowing!
So now I am breaking out of the box I place myself, not letting fear keep me from experiencing God on a deeper level!
