They leave out of the info when you sign up for the World Race that the Lord is going to completely break you of you who you thought you were, and call you into the person he created you to be.
I see what you did there, Mr. Barnes.
I thought I was going to pour out more than be poured into.
Yes, we are going to 11 countries to serve, love, and encourage the family of Christ around the world.
But…
I was completely blind sided by how much my team and my squad are just as much here to serve, love, and encourage me, as I am, them.
Honestly, some people on my squad make me spiritually uncomfortable.
Because, I know, just as I’m getting comfy in the place that I’m at…
Once I spend time with them, they’ll challenge me to go deeper.
In Guatemala, some team leaders challenged me to take hold of my boldness.
In Nicaragua, the Lord said spirit of fear be gone, and my team encouraged me to climb a water tower.
So,
Picture this.
Room full of about 25 people from my squad.
People are speaking up words of life and encouragement and what not.
Then my teammate calls me out.
“I feel Mary has something to say.”
I looked at her, like, oh no you did not just say that.
I drop my head down and laugh because I had nothing to say.
Here I have 24 people waiting for me to open my mouth and speak.
Waiting for a brilliant word from the Lord.
I got nothing.
My other teammate leans and whispers in my ear, “You got anything?”
“Nope.”
“Well, you better start praying.”
I’m laughing asking God to give me some great word.
What do I say in this moment? Give me something.
Well that great word doesn’t come.
What comes is, say how you feel, because that’s all you know.
So I stand up and let it roar.
I don’t want to follow any of you.
I only want to seek the Father’s face.
Here’s the deal, I had been following other people.
Well, if everyone does it, it must be okay for me to do.
If my team leader does it, that's good enough for me.
My walk with the Father was dependent on how my team’s walk was going.
How middle school of me.
I was putting myself in a “World Race box.”
Bump that ish.
I don’t fit in any box,
not the World Race box,
not your box of me,
not even the one I create.
With that unleashing of my heart, I felt a freedom being handed to me to be myself.
I have freedom to move as the Holy Spirit moves.
How cool is that?
Guess what,
You have that freedom to be you as well.
For me, I had to travel with a bunch of crazy Spirit filled people to learn to pick up my own sword and fight for my faith.
For you, it's probably different.
All I know is the sooner that you get over yourself,
and stop looking at your…
pastor
bestfriend
parents
teammate
squad leader
To be the example of how your faith should look… And start
Looking at the face of the Father
Searching for his heart
Being lead by the Holy Spirit
The better.
