Doors close. Doors open.
An unfamiliar atmosphere settles into a world racer’s life after training camp. Day to day time spent with family and friends becomes sacred, and we hold the mundane moments dearly. Everything we consider to be “normal” or “comfortable” changes. We walk away from the places we’ve called home and say “goodbye” way too much. Climbing into our cars, this season of life ends.
We watch the doors close.
Eight squads gather in Atlanta this week to begin launch for the World Race. As I sit here in the lobby of our hotel, I’m drawn in by the sound of multiple joyful conversations jumbling together around me. People from all walks of life pass through this place on their way to another destination. Racers warmly greet their teammates and sing of a mutual excitement for the unknown. Gradually, more and more friends file into the lobby, bringing an anticipated beginning.
I hear the doors open.
Our hearts race fast as we board the flight that will carry us away from our homeland. Very soon, our squad will be walking on foreign soil, and journeying deeper into the heart of our Father together. His joy beams from our faces with every step we take towards our seats, and our stomachs leap with anticipation. As the flight crew prepares for launch, I peek out the window one last time, and whisper “goodbye” to the world I know.
I feel the door close.
The sound of friction between the airplane’s wheels, and Thailand’s ground, explodes in our ears. We have arrived! Our physical bodies reunite with our hearts desire in this sweet moment. We grab our luggage, packed full of promise for the kingdom, and a whole lot of love. “Jesus, thank you. For inviting us on this adventure with you!”
We watch the door open, and there He waits, smiling.
“Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” C.S. Lewis
