On Friday, October 11th it really became real for me.
It being this life-changing adventure called the World Race.
On that day I left home with everything I thought I would need for the next year; all the clothing necessary, the wipes, the clips, the shoes, the bedding, the tent and anything else I could think of so that I would not end up being under prepared. All of the hours spent wading through recommended packing lists and “how to” guides online, which was fueled by fear that I could never be prepared enough, were finally coming to an end. The internal ruckus of read suggestions and thought up concerns was beginning to enter into a state of silence and I, after unloading my hiking pack and day pack into the back of my freshly cleaned SUV, plopped down into the driver’s seat.
It was at this point in time that I let out a deep sigh of relief. I was now in the comfort of my own vehicle. My iPod was hooked up and ready to play and a salted caramel mocha was nicely positioned right in front of my gear shift as a non-organic energy source. This was one of the moments that I had been preparing so greatly for and it was about time to reclaim the once crowded out inner peace and begin my way to training camp.
The following 24 hours were filled with new places, new people, and a lot of driving, but they were wonderful and the beginning of the longest yet shortest week of my life.
(These are the lovely ladies I traveled with to training!)
October 12th, 3:30 p.m.: commence training camp and enter a whirlwind of wisdom talks, worship, trials, and victories. Enter: new opened doors and opportunities, and another season of raising the bar higher still while continuing to deny myself of false comforts and securities. Training camp was not easy, at least not for me, but it was incredible.
(Our lawn o’tents)
(team leaders being announced)
Now at home I find myself trying to adjust, again. But it’s a good place to be in, I think. Who can complain when they’re confident in their purpose and general direction, right? …..
So for now I keep trying to stay present while simultaneously continuing to prepare for launch in January. Launch is when all of the squads will get together again for another blast of training and then departure from the states. I’m trying to balance spending time with friends and family, resting and getting in the Word, and working out the final details that will enable me to actually leave in January.
And even as I write this I am being reminded of Matthew 6:25-34. God is so lovingly whispering, “If you’ll just seek first my Kingdom…”
He and I have a special understanding. I know that I will have moments when I’m going to get overwhelmed by the tasks in front of me and He knows that too, but every time those moments occur, He’ll remind me that I really do not need to try so hard to make things work and that my first priority can be to rest in His presence while I dig into His word and His promises. Then, I’ll take a deep breath and do just that.
Have you ever experienced a season of transition, maybe even one that took you way outside of your comfort zone? How did you handle it and what did you learn from it? Please feel free to comment below!
