My desire from the World Race is to become completely dependent on God in all areas of my life. It essentially becomes an 11 month abandonment process, where I am learning what I truly need to survive and the things in life that are just fluff. The Lord has been teaching me a lot about the “things” I need, and he has drastically shifted my mindset in just 5 short months.
When I came on the race I was mortified about learning to live out of a backpack. How was everything I “needed” for a year going to fit in one pack? I stuffed every inch of it with clothes, books, gear, and random other items that I was convinced a life in the third world would require. As the months progressed, He showed me how little I actually needed. Each month my pack got lighter and lighter as I dropped unnecessary items. As I unpacked in Nepal I realized that the little amount of gear I had was still too much. I asked the Lord what I truly needed, I felt His call to live with less, and I made the decision to send my backpack home, including my tent.
Before you think I am running around the world with nothing, I did get another pack in Nepal. It is just a little one about the size of most people’s day pack. It is perfect for my 4 shirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts, sandals, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. As for no tent, I am trusting He will continually provide shelter too. I am excited to continue the abandonment process and live out the next 6 months with exactly what I need and nothing more.
I’ve seen how spoiled my life back home was. I was so consumed in material possessions that they had become an idol. I feel so free without all of the things I thought I needed in my life. It is incredible how living with less truly makes you appreciate the things that you do have.
Here is a picture of my old pack (right) and my new one (left minus sleeping gear). It is a small act of faith, but an act of faith nonetheless.
