(Note: I wrote this blog mid-October during our ministry in Belize shortly after my computer cord died. I knew God removed the computer as it had become a distraction from Him. Now that I’m home the cord is working just fine, and I’m catching up on blogs. 
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This month (October) my Facebook wall has been dominated by Adventures in Missions and World Race related posts. Stories from other World Racers on other squads healing and planning outreaches, the perfect Race promo stories. It has me reflecting on my Race and asking, “Did I do this right?”
Fusion Favor is no secret. Over and over God has blessed our squad with less than rough and sometimes very nice accommodations, travel, and ministry. Yeah, there was that travel day when we left 90? Vietnamese beaches and less than three days later stepped off a train into Narnia (a snow storm in China). Yeah, South Africa we used long drop toilets, and our Cambodian kitchen was overrun with ants. But over all we have had it nice.
What does it look like to do the Race right?
Thousands of different ways because there are thousands of different Racers. For me “doing the Race right” has been about obedience. I am not obedient. I can be selfish, prideful, argumentative, and rebellious. I push boundaries and stall to avoid doing as I’m told. I try to logic out how to do things my way rather than simply obeying, immediately, without question. The worst part is I do this to God.
Obedience has been a theme of my Race. Our Unsung Heros month in Vietnam was a daily opportunity to walk in obedience as we literally followed God’s lead around the city. Sometimes I had to back track and talk to someone because I’d ignored His command to say hello. Then after seven months in finance I had to obey God’s command and step out. That was very hard. It came after a day of tears and arguing. I finally submitted my will. And hated it! I loved the job. However, since stepping out I have been able to rest and enjoy debriefs, and other squadmates have had a chance to grow in an area of leadership. I had made that role an identity, and now my identity is again in Him.
What does it look like to do the Race right?
On January 1st in the San Francisco airport before everyone arrived, I found coffee and a quiet spot to ask God His 2015 goals for me, something I do instead of New Year’s Resolutions. One of those goals was Prayer Warrior. This is tied to obedience as it is a title and mindset I have been resisting for years. Prayer warriors are the old ladies at church that have wisdom and a direct line to God, right? I could barely remember to pray for something more than a couple days in a row. Before starting the Race Scott (our Squad Mentor) asked me to be on a squad intercessory team. In Thailand, I was asked to be part of Prayer Track. This year without my noticing God has taught me to pray and intercede. I heard His voice and saw Yeshua when I prayed, yet my prayers before the Race were shallow and lacked faith. I’d tack on “Your will” to avoid any disappointment. I prayed small much of the time.
Now I’m not shy about praying for people. Prayers come easier because I don’t have to figure it out. I’ve learned to listen to Holy Spirit and speak the words He gives as I pray. I’ve learned it is okay to pause in a prayer and wait for Holy Spirit’s direction. I’ve learned to recognize songs and visions from God. I’ve learned to pray specifics and expect results. I’ve learned to pray persistently even if the result isn’t immediate. I’ve learned to pray with authority. This month I had the opportunity to join a congregation in praying for their pastor and their church. It was as if Holy Spirit spoke through me at times. Very cool.
What does it look like to do the Race right?
It looks like a change of perspective. Right now I can’t list all of the things I now see, understand, or think differently. It’s going to take a lot of processing when I get home. One thing I do know is I have a better understanding of the spiritual. This can be a whole blog itself so I’ll simply share some of this month. This month I felt the spiritual warfare like I never have before. Oppression and the attacks of the enemy, lies and negativity about myself and others whispered to me masked as my own thoughts. But I recognize them as another voice now and now I can tell them off. The power in the spiritual realm is barely tapped into by Christians. It’s unsettling at first but so good! This year has strengthened my spiritual eyesight.
What does it look like to do the Race right?
It is stepping out of my life and spending a year in the presence of God, tasting several different cultures and ministries, while living in community. It is an opportunity to learn to seek Kingdom daily, to see the world through God’s eyes and to minister to Him. It is allowing God to teach, reveal, strengthen, heal, remove, refine, and renew every part of me.
Yeah, I am doing the Race right.
Photo by Scott Kwak
