Here they are. The answers to the questions you asked about my race.
1. Where was the most unexpected place that I found God, or rather that God found me?
My time on the race was full of God finding me in unexpected moments. There are lots of big moments where God shows up in huge ways, however I think that the most unexpected place I met God was in the everyday. While instagram and Facebook do a great job of showing the adventures of the World Race, they often do not show the days where ministry is simply cooking food, or washing dishes, or everyday things that I would be doing at home. I expected God to show up in the big things, in the miracles, in the worship, in the preaching, but I think I was surprised by how much God can be present in the mundane if we are truly abiding in Him and inviting Him into every part of our lives. Not only does He meet us there… but He doesn’t come into those places begrudgingly thinking that they are too small or too boring for Him. He comes to those moments because He wants to, because He simply enjoys spending time with us. We have the incredible opportunity to enter into a never ending dialogue with the creator of the universe who doesn’t think that washing clothes or cleaning our house is too insignificant a task to be a part of.
2. How has God changed me through this year?
Well… this is a very large question, and I certainly think that I will still be learning some of the answers to this one long after I return home, but here are some of the changes I am already seeing. I think that god has opened my eyes to see Him in every moment of my life. There is almost never a moment where I feel totally alone and I have grown so much in faith and the ability to let go of control and trust that He knows what He is doing. I think God has also grown me in intimacy with both Himself and with other people. I have learned how to let down the walls that I had put up to guard my heart and walk in vulnerability and to delight in the ways that God can use me and my story when I do. I have learned to be more honest with myself and with others about who I am and where my heart is at. I also think that God has grown a really generous heart in me and has grown me greatly in my giftings. But I think one of the greatest ways I have changed this year is fearlessness. When the bible says that perfect love casts out fear, it is really true. And I have learned that the more I rest in God, who is perfect love, the less I have to fear. I don’t have to be afraid of the future because God is in control and He is good. I don’t have to fear other people because my identity rests in who God says I am. And when I am no longer afraid of all the things that used to define me, I can walk in fearless obedience to the Father and boldly go wherever He calls me to.
3. How is this experience going to change my walk at home?
I have learned this year that missions are less about going to foreign lands, and more about turning every moment of our lives into an opportunity for ministry. Many of my favorite moments on the race have happened outside of our given ministry. They have been with shopkeepers, musicians, our host families, my team. They have been conversations that started from something as simple as taking the time to ask someone about their day, or to notice the beggar on the street corner. I want to bring this same mentality home and continue to learn to live every moment with intentionality and with eyes open to see the world as God sees it. To allow my heart to continue to break for what breaks His. I want to make the most of every moment and every interaction for the glory of God. I don’t want to go back to blindly walking through life and living as if the most important thing is whatever I have to get done or whatever I want. I want to love the people in my life really well and be a representative of God’s love for them and I want to continue to be interruptible so that I can sense and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in my everyday life.
