I had been prepping to leave on the World Race for almost 1.5 years by the time I left Atlanta in January. There were several times over that year and a half that I had to check my heart and make sure my motives are ‘good and pure’ and I’m not doing this whole thing just to travel some more. During and after training camp, it definitely sunk in that this is more than just a trip with a bunch of strangers. But part of me is definitely excited to see more of the world, especially since I’ve never been to any of these countries or regions before…some well-known, others to just experience the whole culture.
But over the last 6 months or so, I’ve had a perspective shift in how I view traveling and doing things that might typically be on a person’s bucket list, something you just want to do before you die. My question and challenge is: why do we wait until after we have lived most of our lives to do the things we want to do, or the things that seem exciting or we think will make us happy? Traveling to parts of the world you’ve never seen before or even going back to places you have been already is not about just seeing the sights. In my humble opinion, it’s about experiencing where you are, soaking in a different culture, letting these places and people change you for the better, expand your worldview, challenge your perception of reality. Becoming what I’m calling a ‘global citizen’ (for now, because ultimately this is not our final home). You will take nothing from this world except your influence and your legacy. Use it well. (And I do not limit this to traveling, but anything that challenges you or pushes your comfort zone.)
At this point, I’ve been gone from the states for about four weeks now. I had two things hit me a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to share and maybe encourage you with:
First, when we were driving to our ministry location about two weeks ago, it finally hit me that I am in Peru! and I’m actually on the World Race! And this is my life for the next 10 months! This is not a vacation, not just a trip, not an escape from reality for a little bit until I get back to ‘normal’. This is my new normal. This is my life. It just happens to be in another country, with an incredible team ordained by God being the hands and feet of Jesus in whatever way He has for us. We are on this journey, this adventure, but it’s life. And life is not always high energy or being ‘on’ all the time. Sometimes we could use something of home, so of course we go find a Starbucks. Or need to zone out and watch a movie. Or have some fun and be a tourist for a little while and casually head over to Machu Picchu for a couple of days. Speaking of which….
My second thing is that everywhere is God’s creation, worthy of His praise, and should be equally inspiring and encompassing of God’s presence. I noticed something last summer when I had the chance to visit Yellowstone national park for a day. The whole day I felt surrounded and filled with God’s presence just because I was so close to His beautiful creation in the mountains. On one of our ‘off’ days, I had the privilege to visit the world heritage site of Machu Picchu. From the moment we landed in Cusco to the minute we flew back to Lima, I had the same experience as when I was in Yellowstone. Surrounded and consumed by God’s beautiful, green, peaceful creation in the mountains of Peru caused me to feel continually in His presence without having to think about it. But getting back to Lima definitely did not feel that way….yet everything we see is God’s creation in one form or another. And I can feel close to Him regardless of being high in the secluded mountains or the middle of a busy city.
This is just my little experience and slice of the world but I hope it sparks your own fire for seeking a fresh perspective no matter where you are. thank you so much for reading!
