Everyone looks at the race as this big adventurous journey that is always exciting… Well, to the future racers and all of the spectators out there, it’s not. Surely it has its moments, but it’s still normal life. Day in, day out. You still have to go grocery shopping, but instead of hitting up the closest Walmart, you are in an African market where you can attempt to offer the lowest price possible, even though you know they’re giving you a higher price because you’re an mauzungu. That’s an entirely different subject, but the point is, the world race is still life. Sure, every word out of a racer’s mouth is “yada yada yada… oh well, world race life.” But, it’s still life, just a bit unconventional from what we were raised in. There if life in the day to day. I challenge you to wake up each morning expecting God to show up even in the little moments.
It was a typical day, I was traveling around a small village in Malawi, Africa called Namiasi. Dirt roads, mud huts, the whole nine yards with my teammate Kelsey. We were picking up some groceries from the corner stores. I was standing there one minute, spacing out while waiting, when I felt a small hand gently press onto my leg. I looked down in an instant and saw her. A precious little girl named Toko about 8 years old. She was kneeling in the middle of the path, reaching out to touch me. As a bike was trying to pass, I took her hand and knowing she didn’t speak english, tried to help her out of the way of the bike. What I didn’t realize is that she couldn’t walk, her legs were under her because both of her legs lacked any muscle from atrophy, she crawled with her arms around the village. She also couldn’t speak at all. The instant she touched my leg, the story of the woman in Matthew 9:20 came to mind. There was a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years and she thought, if I only am able to touch the cloak of Jesus, I will be healed.
I began to pray for her, and tears filled my eyes, my heart broke for this precious daughter of God. After praying for her, Kelsey and I helped her stand and helped her take a few steps. She bounced and stood proud with the joy of the Lord being on her own two feet and caressed our faces with the biggest smile on her face. I saw Jesus in her eyes. That, my dear friends, is what the race is about. Seeing each person on the street, and seeing them with the eyes of Jesus. Taking a minute out of your day to stop the hustle and bustle and help someone in need. Pray for someone. Humble yourself. Sit in the dirt and love on one of God’s children. Smile at someone. Make conversation with someone in line at the grocery store. Jesus is everywhere… chances are you’re missing Him in the ‘busy’. Open your eyes.
