I braced myself for the worst before I came on the race. I expected to be living in a tent for the year, eating rice for three meals a day, always being dirty, and never being able to shower. Well I’m 6 months into the race now, and I’ve had my expectations blown 6 times. I think I need someone to pinch me, because I think I’m dreaming.
South Africa may be the best surprise yet.
I get to spend month 6 of the world race living in an apartment 5 minutes from the beach, hanging out with street kids in the mornings and then leading a soccer camp in the afternoon at a local township. Ministry could not be more fun. I get to walk around the beach and love kids who aren’t love, and then run around a soccer field with some of the cutest kids ever.
The weather is beautiful (even if we’re all getting a little sunburned), the ocean feels great, and the views are incredible.
As for our living conditions, we’re living in a small, two-room apartment, where my feet are in the kitchen, torso in the living room, and head in the dining room. Can I complain? Not at all. We can take showers and we’re cooking our own food, meaning our wonderful cook Emily plans us different meals everyday.
While this month is stinking awesome, there is the sad realization that I’m halfway done with the race. Half way. 50%. Medio.
That’s not possible.
There is so much more that I want to experience and grow in the Lord. This month is going to be a major transformation month for my team. It’s the first time that we’re all together and there isn’t 15 other people running around. We don’t have internet, so we can really focus on each other. But most importantly, we’re not satisfied with where we are spiritually. Yes, we’ve all had major growth. We’ve opened up to one another, we’ve taken steps of faith, and we’re seeking the Lord more. Yet we still want more.
A popular worship song on the Race is “You Won’t Relent” by Jesus Culture. Here’s what it says:
You won’t relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
We all know that, and we all want that. I want my entire heart in the Lord’s hands. Does that still scare me? You bet! But do I know that once He has it all, those “fears” I have won’t be there anymore? Absolutely.
The act of dying to yourself is a messy process, but the result is beautiful. It’s like a potter and a lump of clay. We look like a pile of clay before God sculpts us, but as He sculpts, there isn’t a neat little pile of the useless clay. No, there is muddy water everywhere, bits of clay strewn about the floors and the walls, and a pile of clay shavings at His feet. Not only that, but once He’ done sculpting, He puts you in a furnace to burn away anything not of Him and to seal the work He did to you. And the end result is a beautiful masterpiece.
That’s what I want.
I guess my prayer this Christmas is the same as Mariah Carey’s.
All I want for Christmas is You
She’s talking about Jesus right?
What do you want for Christmas?
