Things I am learning on the World Race
(in no particular order)
– I really like singing and all kinds of worship. Okay, this isn't really something I learned on the World Race, but it is just becoming more real. I wish there were an extra 4 hours in each day just to sing, dance, and praise God for all the great blessings he pours out on us!
– There is no greater feeling than working all day doing construction under the hot desert sun and then taking a cold shower outside under the setting sun, putting on (semi) clean clothes, eating an apple and sitting around reading, talking, hanging out with friends. No Facebook, TV, iPhones…LOVE it
– Community is HARD. No matter how extroverted you are (which I'm not even), it is not easy being around people ALL the time.
– Sabbath is a real thing. Necessary. Amazing. I took my first day off from ministry on Saturday. I literally spent the day (9am-5pm) on a corner patio overlooking the sandy mountains. I read my Bible (Psalms, Acts, and a bit of 2 Chronicles), listened to 4 Tim Keller sermons, wrote a few pages in my journal, and spent a lot of time in prayer. I had to talk myself out of feeling guilty for not going to ministry that day, but I just knew that I needed a mental, emotional, spiritual break. It was absolutely what I needed.
– God wants us to use the gifts he has given us. I have been blown away by the missionaries working with IncaLink in Peru. Prime example is Joca. His ministry is geared toward the male youth in the community who are at the prime age to be recruited for gangs. He is not only someone they adore and want to hang out with, but he has based his ministry around sandboarding (think snowboarding on sand!) The kids LOVE it. It is the perfect platform to share with these impressionable youth about God's love for them and that God has a plan for them that doesn't involve gang violence.
-I love fruits and vegetables. Not so much white rice. But I knew this already…I just wanted to reiterate how much I love fruits and veggies in case God feels like dropping some down from heaven onto my plate piled with white rice. Amen.
-I am so blessed by my incredible family. There is a lot of brokenness all around me right now – brokenness that I cannot fix. All I can do is pray that the Lord will enter into these broken relationships and reveal himself and his glory and love. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with as much love as I did. While I would want this for everyone, I know our God is a good and sovereign God who works all things together for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). So while I may not understand the pain and brokenness around me, I can rest assured in the trust I have in the Lord.
– It is possible to feel spiritually disconnected even when you are "doing ministry" every day. It is really important for me to take time to read the Word, pray, and listen to what God is teaching me each day. This may sound obvious, but it is a lot harder than you may think. (*goes along with needing a Sabbath)
– I can feel beautiful even with crazy curly hair and no make up. This may be the most surprising of all!
– God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God doesn't change based on my surroundings. He is just as real on the World Race as he was back in the States. He is definitely revealing himself to me in different ways as I am challenged and pushed outside my comfort zone, but his love is just as faithful. His presence is just as powerful. His spirit is just as alive. It isn't about where I am – it is about what HE is doing!
Everyday is not easy, and I don't necessarily feel like doing the things I am required to do each day. But Jesus did not promise a life free from suffering or pain when he asked me to follow him. He didn't say I wouldn't miss my family. He definitely didn't say it would be easy.
What he does promise is to never leave me or forsake me. I am promised eternal life, that a heavenly dwelling is being prepared for me. Nothing really seems that hard or that much of a sacrifice when I fix my eyes on what he has done for me.
I have learned that I am really happy to be right here – in his will.
