Just because I started the race, doesn’t mean I have finished training.
Month two is now over and a new month will soon begin in Moldova. This month, I have learned a very important lesson. Just because I have said yes to the race doesn’t mean that my journey is complete. Yes, I’ve given up a lot of my material possessions. I’ve sold my truck, given away most of my belongings, and chose to live out of a backpack for a year with minimal comforts. However, my abandonment and commitment shouldn’t stop there. Saying yes and leaving home was only the beginning of my journey. It’s like when I signed up for my first marathon; sure I had paid the registration fee and bought new running shoes, but I still had months of training ahead before I could even attempt to run the race. The thing about that, though, is no one is going to do the task for you. No one is going to force me to spend time with Jesus, no one is going to make me step out of my comfort zone, and no one is going to make me tell others about Jesus. But what is commanded of us is to GEAUX. (Excuse my Southern roots, but that’s how we spell “go” in Louisiana)
Just because I am out of America doesn’t mean I still don’t struggle with worldly temptations. I still get lazy, I still want to frivolously spend my money, and I still busy myself so much to not allowing time with God. It’s not America that’s the problem, it’s my heart. Until Jesus works on that, nothing will change. I’ve learned that I can’t just sit back and wait for Jesus to act. Wherever we are in life, He calls us to GEAUX and move. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us who is always ready to guide and lead us in the right direction. But how can we be guided if we haven’t even started moving? We end up waiting on God while God is waiting on us.
“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia, when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16: 6-10
As you can see, Paul and his companions traveled to many different places, all of which were not where they were supposed to end up, until they finally reached Macedonia. What I don’t want you to miss is that they made a decisions to geaux. They didn’t get defeated, but instead listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let Him guide them to where they needed to go. In Albania this month, we did not have a clear ministry opportunity to go out and preach the Gospel, we had to make the decision to geaux and find it ourselves. One afternoon, a group of us decided to go out into the city, meeting random people and telling them about Jesus. Two other girls and I began walking around, in and out of random businesses on the streets of Lezhe. We ended up talking to and praying over some wonderful ladies. One even gave us some free chocolate from her store after! After taking this initial step, we ended up having another opportunity a couple days later with a girl named Dido, who works at the mall. We caught her right as her shift ended and was able to hang out with her over ice cream and had a great conversation about Jesus. We even went running with her the next day and just truly developed a friendship with her. Many others on our squad also got the chance to pour into Dido and I believe she truly has been changed because of that. It would’ve been easy to just walk by her every day, accounting her English speaking skills as coincidence. Instead, we took the opportunity to speak with her and do as God called us to. I am so thankful for this encounter and realize this is how it will probably be most of the race. Even though we have contacts set up, it will be up to us to make the move.
So, in honor of LSU’s first game this weekend, just as they are ready to GEAUX, you too should not be afraid to take that first step forward. You’ll never know if you never try. What is your passion? What gets you excited to wake up each day? What breaks your heart? Whatever it is, just geaux. Begin taking steps to serve or give in that area and just see what happens.
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20: 22-24
God bless and GEAUX tigers!!
