I have a bad habit of over thinking and over complicating things. There are many reasons for this. I don’t like being wrong or looking like a beginner. I like being in control. I like to think that I can do it all. I worry about what others think.
Thankfully I was raised by wonderful parents who would recognize and snap me out of my over thinking. For the Race God blessed me with a set of Race Parents who do the same thing. Karen and Tim, our coaches, gave many great teachings during our training. However, the thing that stood out most to me was “keep it simple.”
They also like to have fun.
Both of them are powerhouses for God. They live their faith every day and with everyone they interact with, and they both have great stories of how God has used them. But it is never about them, they always direct the glory to God. They simply obeyed. They simply prayed for a person or a situation and placed it in God’s hands. They simply reached out when asked and spoke the words they were given. Karen reminded me a few times in the two weeks they were with us to keep it simple.
I worried too much about saying the correct prayers. I was frustrated with myself for not reading the Bible enough or knowing the right scripture reference. I was getting too wrapped up in the religion and forgetting about the relationship. Our first day in ministry I ended the day asking God about His view of success. I had not spoken about God to a single person all day, so I was questioning if we were successful. That night I was down on myself for not interacting with enough people and not telling anyone why were were in the square. But in our team debrief my teammates all shared how excited they were for all the joy they had seen. They saw Yeshua in the square in the laughter and joy that was created.
The next day while playing soccer with three little boys God showed me that where joy and laughter and happiness is that is where the Spirit of the Lord is. And where the Spirit of the Lord is the Enemy cannot be. Playing soccer badly and causing little boys to laugh at our terrible kicks brought God to the slum. That was enough. Last night when we returned to the square a man I had met the night before came back to see us. He sought me out, and we had a great conversation.
Back on July 11, 2014 (A few weeks before I knew about the World Race) God spoke the following to me. I love looking back at things He has said and seeing how He was preparing me. Apparently God likes to keep things simple too. 🙂
“Let go of your past, of what you think you know. Let me guide you one step at a time. Be at peace each day and live in the present. Place your requests then trust I will supply your need. Don’t worry what others will think or say. Pray for discernment and wisdom as you interact and negotiate the world. Some will bring My words, some will lead you astray unintentionally, others will be sent to dissuade your discourage or will just desire to tear you down. Come to me daily. Rest in Me. Read my Word. Then you will be able to hear my voice among the crowd. Be present in my Throne room and seek my face.
“Run after Yeshua with all your might and focus. Run and play, it’s an adventure. Have fun. Laugh. Learn. Experiment, fail, and try again. Live like a child, not understanding the impossible, dreaming big, and oblivious to failure as an end or embarrassment. Allow yourself to be a beginner. Life is not supposed to be hard when you run with me. Not easy, sometimes painful, sometimes it will seem impossible to move forward but I am your strength.
“Life, and my ways, are really simple. ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ I give simple instructions, short lists ,easy prayers. Stop trying to complicate your life. When you start planning you stop living because you can only live in the present. In this moment.
“‘All things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purposes.’ ‘He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.’ Everything in your life, even the smallest detail, I’m planning out. It will all come together for good. I’m not gone. I still walk by your side every moment and whisper instructions in your ear. Let me be your guide. You will know what you need to know, when you need to know it. Accept and be at peace with that. You have instructions and you can ask for clarification anytime. A fleece test is not distrust or unbelief if used when in doubt and not to force an outcome you desire. You know My voice and you know where to get confirmation. Walk with me in faith and trust.
“Take time to enjoy my creation. You know it is a comfort for you. Enjoy it. It’s a gift.”
