A letter to my squad and other Racers:
There are things we have been dreaming about since month one…
Chik-Fil-A
McDonalds
Pumpkin spice lattes
Milk shakes
A washer and dryer
Fabric softener
A drive in the car alone
The cereal aisle at Walmart
A soft bed to yourself
A wardrobe that is too big to carry on your back
Actually baking the things you post on pinterest
Sitting down to watch a football game you didn’t have to download
A hot shower and dry floors
What do all these things have in common?
It’s what our hearts desire after a year of finding ourselves in uncomfortable situations. From rock hard beds to cold showers. From being stared at everywhere we go to not being able to communicate. We have been uncomfortable this year.
And so we spend our time dreaming of comfort. How much time did we spend this past month figuring out what restaurant we were going to eat at first? Or what we were going to do when we first stepped foot through our door? Or how many people would be at the airport to greet us?
Our hearts desire comfort.
And we have grown up in a society that encourages us to pursue that desire with all of the resources at our disposal.
There is nothing wrong with desiring comfort. Angie shared with me about how she realizes how necessary having some comforts of home is when you are on the mission field. I agree. For me, it is coffee and alone time. What concerns me is how much time I spend pursuing or dreaming of comfort…as if it is the greatest desire of my heart.
So what should the greatest desire of my heart be? What should be that one thing that I am seeking first? Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…”
Above all else.
I came on the Race to seek God’s Kingdom—in my life and in lives of those I encounter. I have to stop and ask…is that still what I am seeking above all else, or have I given up because It didn’t happen like I thought it would? It is easier to seek comfort…
God is in the business of answering the desires of our hearts, but He often tests those desires. Are we willing to seek His Kingdom first? Matthew 15:21-28 tells the story of the Samaritan women who had to plead with Jesus three times before he answered the desire of her heart.
“Dear woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted.”
So here are my questions to you M Squad: What desires have you pushed to the side because you have not received an answer? What passions have you allowed to die down? What are you fighting for? What are you spending your time pursuing? What are you seeking above all else?
The race is not over yet.
