This blog is for all Racers, especially my fellow M-Squad squadmates, and if I am being honest, it is for me as well! I felt compelled to write this in light of several conversations with you all and Rozy’s e-mail that she shared with us that her sister wrote. I hope it is received well and motivates you all! Praying for you and can’t wait to see all your lovely faces soon!
Hey you, yeah you, I want you to remember what you signed up for! This thing called the World Race. Please don’t quit now… it’s not over. The finish line is in sight, but that means you should push harder, not give up. The Lord still wants to do great things through you. He wants to bring you through more healing and growth. He wants to fan into flames the gifts that are in you and cast out fear (2 Timothy 1:6-7). Don’t let Satan distract you with things back home. Be where you are. Be present.
Let me ask you a few questions:
– Would you quit on yourself?
– Or how about a sister or brother?
Living in community can be tough, especially when you don’t really have a say in who you get to live with. However, you did agree to this when you signed up.
– You chose the Race.
– You chose to commit for 11+ months.
– You chose to do life together with strangers who are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
– You chose to be there through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
– You can’t quit now. There are still 6 more weeks, 43 more days, 1,032 more hours, 61,920 minutes, 3,715,200 seconds (mas o menos).
Sometimes it may feel like you could care less about the people on your team. Maybe you had a different idea in mind of what living in community looked like. Or maybe you desire to have different teammates. Do you really think the grass would be greener if you could pick your team? All teams have conflict and disagreements.
Newsflash!:the ideal team isn’t often what we are given. The Lord knows what we need. He knows who can help you grow to be a better you. Sure you may not like one (or more) of your teammates, but you are called to love them.
Let me ask you a couple more questions:
– Are you choosing to love your teammates by “checking out” or by having a pissy attitude?
– Are you choosing to love your teammates and calling them higher by with-holding feedback?
– Are you choosing to love your teammates by daydreaming about what you would rather be doing or thinking about life after the Race?
So, now that I have shared my two cents about this topic, I present you with two options:
1. You can quit! Sign out. Live for you. Do want you want. Go through the motions and remain unchanged for these next 43 days.
OR
2. You can live these next 43 days to the fullest by seeking the Lord with a fiery, burning passion and serve your team well by investing in them wholeheartedly. Yes, reality is you will go home in 43 days and probably not speak with most of your teammates on any regular basis, but, they are your “family” now.
Would you “check out” on a sister or brother? Would you ignore them? Would you stop investing in them if you knew they would be gone “forever” in 43 days? I’m guessing probably not. I’m guessing the opposite would happen actually. So, don’t quit on your “family” aka teammates.
Here are a few passages of Scripture to back up what I am trying to say with love and great concern:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
??Hebrews? ?10:23-25? ?NIV??
http://bible.com/111/heb.10.23-25.niv
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
??Hebrews? ?12:1-3? ?NIV??
http://bible.com/111/heb.12.1-3.niv
Love hard Racers!
Misha
