I didn’t come on the race wanting to be a team leader but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an expectation I had. Most of my young adult years have revolved around being president of some club or holding some kind of leadership position. At training camp when I was not selected as team leader, I was a bit relieved because the task seemed daunting at the time and I was no where in the right place to doing that. I mean I just found out about the world race a few weeks prior! I was still trying to figure out what I had gotten myself into exactly.
Although encouraged by my team about leadership skills they saw in me, throughout the past four months, I hadn’t really given leadership any thought. As a result of our awesome squad leaders Amanda and Laura ending their journey with us month 5, new squad leaders would be appointed by month 4, hence team changes and new team leaders as well. Few weeks leading to the impending changes, I became restless. Was this a desire? Where was all this coming from? A week to team changes, I felt God continually telling me to rest in Him. When team leaders were announced and I knew I was not one of them, I was disappointed. I felt like I had failed. The final blow came, when I had a squad-mate later approached me saying “I really thought you would have been chosen to be a team leader.” Great, I didn’t meet their expectations either! I shared with Cameron (my previous leader) all that was going on. (Sidenote: I can’t say enough about how much love I have for this woman. It has been such an honor being on a team with Cam. She has such a servant heart and is such an encourager. I’ve loved learning from her and watching her grow over the past 4 months. It’s no surprise to me God has placed her as a squad-leader!) Cam was able to speak some truths into me.
I honestly did not realized I placed so much value on leadership. In business school you’re encouraged to not just be a member of a club but try to attain as many leadership positions as possible. Coming from a corporate background I worked hard to get “titles.” I’ve always defined success with an achieved level or title. Through this journey on the world race, God is revealing to me who He is and who I am in HIM. He’s stripping me of false identities. God has rocked my perception of leadership. He is redefining my identity. I am not my title, my job, or any status…I am HIS.
Leadership is not about holding a title. I am aware of the gift of leadership the Lord has placed on me but it’s a whole lot more than just holding a title. I am learning to be a different kind of leader. One that influences, one that encourages, serves, is vulnerable, loves well, selfless, and more importantly one that submits. I can honestly say I am content with where God has me. His plans are so much better than I can ever imagine (Jer 29:11). I’m not allowing leadership to define my race. I am growing daily, being challenged, learning so much about myself and what Papa has for me.
Matthew 20:27-28
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
I am excited to continue on this journey with my new teammates. And learn from Amie my new team leader and also a former "Real Love." You are probably wondering who these new faces are to the left of this page. Well let me introduce you to Catching Fire…
Up next: Catching Fire in Cambodia (trust me you'll want to read this one 🙂
With Love,
