This blog goes out to my squad, but honestly it is for all racers. I hope this encourages you and gives you the shot in the arm you need.
Weariness = a result of excessive exertion; reluctant to see or experience any
more of; tired of, no longer having a great amount of energy or endurance
This is the place we have reached on month 8 of the race. We are worn out and drained. We miss home. We want to burn our backpacks and everything in it. We have reached the point of no return when it comes to community. We’re tired of having to cover our knees and shoulders everywhere we go. Tell me what is sexy about some kneecaps? “Man, did you see the knees on that broad?” – Said NO ONE EVER. Anyway, our hearts ache for a fresh pot of coffee and Nescafe is no longer a worthy substitute. We loath rice so much we have started experimenting with cockroaches, crickets and snakes. It’s bad people.
We have forgotten the reason we signed up for this journey and what is keeping us in this spot. We’ve lost sight of why we are here and who the real enemy is. We take out our exhaustion, frustrations, insecurities and disappointments on the people we live with. We are empty and ready to quit. It’s like we are under water and just cannot reach the surface no matter how hard we swim.
BUT GOD. Probably the greatest short phrase ever uttered in the history of human speech. I know for a fact I would have drowned years ago if not for those two words. He is it, right? He’s the reason we signed up. He is why we wanted to drag ourselves around the world living out of a backpack in the first place. At one point, we were filled with joy and excitement to spread His love and tackle this journey. What changed? Did God change? Well, we know from scripture that isn’t the answer (Hebrews 13:8). We did. Some of us shifted our focus onto other things. Some of us have let people alter our outlook. Some of us just shut down. Some of us forgot our passion. Some of us needed to continue our journey other ways. And some of us are just plain pissed off that this thing hasn’t been what we expected.
WAKE UP! Whether you are home or on the field. Slap yourself in the face with your Bible and start reading and more importantly, start believing. He hasn’t left us people! He is sitting here longing to pour Himself into our needy, empty souls. He is here. He is near. You might not feel Him but He is there. He is more real than anything you can see right now. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is Jesus. And you know what? He picked you! Pull yourself back…see from His perspective. See how His rich mercy flows so freely from His loving heart to us helpless people. It’s not about the world race, it’s not about this year, it’s not about what you think or feel right now…it is about JESUS. Let’s go back. Back to creation when He put His plan of salvation – for you – into motion. That’s right. YOU. Whether or not you finish the race, He HAD to have you. He was determined to call you His own. YOU are who He is looking forward to enjoying forever! What a concept. Ask God to give you grace to see past this moment and to truly believe that He is greater.
He is leading you along a way that is uniquely right for YOU. See the big picture. His purpose in your life, no matter where you are at, is to draw you closer to Himself. It is at that moment you utterly become your true self – the one He fashioned you to be. You are one of a kind. You are amazing! You can do it! Look where you’ve gotten and where you’ve come from. The race isn’t over and you are right on track. Even in the most challenging times, if we remember our focal point is Jesus, we can shine. And know that this road God has you on is leading you to your destiny. Our paths are going to differ greatly cause we are all unrepeatable people. Don’t be discouraged by this. Put off your weariness and embrace the strength that is within you. Take a deep breath. And another. Feel a strong arm reaching down into that water and pulling you up to the surface. Catch your breath.
So let’s do this thing! We are on the downhill slope now. Let’s completely devote ourselves to Him and His purpose; only then can we love people freely. Let’s leave our disagreements, disappointments, and drama in the past. We are never going to agree on everything. But, we can come together in one common theme – Jesus saved us all from hell and His story is worth sharing with the world. If that’s the only thing we have alike, then hey, there couldn’t be a more impactful or remarkable thread to string us together.
To those we have lost, you are still a part of us and we wouldn’t be complete without you. God has you on a new and incredible journey; be encouraged and comforted in that. We will carry you in our hearts as we keep going and you don’t forget us in your prayers. Together we are all climbing higher, learning as we go, one step at a time towards the purpose of becoming the people God intended us to be, like Christ.
Let us be jubilant and revived as we journey together in levelheaded communion, enjoying the adventure of finding ourselves in Him alone and focusing on our common goal – Jesus.
