If all I shared with you was the amazing, crazy, and magnificent memories from the past year, I would not be doing this trip justice. If I’m honest, I find God much more often in the mundane and the trials than I do during the highlights. I want to share a short summary of an average day here in Zambia:
I wake up with a dry mouth; I sleep beneath a thin window. I hop up and heat up water for a mug of hot cocoa and bowl of cinnamon oatmeal. Time to go. The morning walk is full of crisp, cool air; I can see my breath on the trek to school. I glance up at the fruitless mango trees during our walks wishing I was here in January when they’re bearing delicious fruit. Along the way, a smile or laughter is elicited when I attempt to greet people in the local language, Bemba. Upon arrival, I’m greeted each morning by dozens of wild and excited children who simply want to learn and have fun. We teach, play games, and cover our ears when the kids scream deafening songs.
After school, we kick rocks and talk about the day, life, faith, and dreams as we wander the trails back to the house. When we arrive back home, Tiffany reminds us all about the lone, white rose bud on the verge of blooming, but witholding for a better day. I consider washing my feet which are an interesting shade of red and brown from the miles we walk, but I resist. I glance at my feet and admire my Chaco tan that’s returning just in time for the American summer. Ben and I sit down and play a game of cribbage even though we have four to catch up on.
Later, dinner time rolls around; pasta and bread have become staples in our diet, especially when the electricity goes out for the evening. Each night, we have watched as the moon has grown from a crescent to a glowing full moon; further evidence that another month has passed by, and this trip is coming to its final chapter.
While the days usually feel mild and mundane, they’re laced with lessons from the Lord, and certainly add up to make the journey what it is: incredible. Ultimately, a day on the World Race is just like a day back home; it’s life. I face trials, I get annoyed with said trials, I overcome and move forward. Yes the trials here may feel more difficult (I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t the hardest year of my life), but when I’m able to shift my focus from my problems to the Lord, all of it melts away.
Jesus simply says this to a crowd in the gospel of Matthew, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
He says he’ll give me rest, and I’ve found that to be so true. Most days, I’m wiped out by the end of it, even if our team wasn’t physically active. I’m learning how to cast my burdens on the Lord, while also finding God in the simplest of moments. The Lord is teaching me how to stop, breathe, and listen. From stopping to smelling the roses (literally), to finding Him in the children running around aimlessly after a soccerball, He is teaching me to be with Him at all times.
In Paul’s letters, he uses the phrase “In Christ Jesus” or some variation over 100 times. This aligns closely to what Jesus says in John 15:4 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” The essense of being a Christian is to abide in Jesus, or live in constant communication and relationship with him.
This means looking to him and praising him during the peaks and the valleys. Joining him during the calm and the storm; during the epic, and the mundane. Another way to look at it is this: “The Christian lives in Christ as a bird in the air, a fish in the water, the roots of a tree in the soil.” – Marvin R. Vincent.
I’m absolutely in the learning phase of this, and likely always will be. I’ve been raised with the idea of being with Jesus at church is enough, but after experiencing him during all hours of the day, Sunday mornings just aren’t enough! We simply can’t get enough Jesus in our lives.
I’ve heard it said there’s two things we will never regret doing too much of: reading scripture, and praying. I find this to be true, because whenever I spend quality time with the Lord, I feel refreshed, and at peace. Just like in Psalm 1, I feel like a tree planted by a stream of water when I meditate on his law day and night.
This could quickly turn into a full sermon, but I simply want to encourage you with this:
To the believer – Spend more time with the Lord; he’s waiting right in front of you with open arms, and simply wants to be in constant communion with you. Look for God in the “boring” parts of life, because He’s there, just as much as He is on the summits.
To the person who wants to know more about Jesus and Christianity: I encourage you to seek out a Christian who you trust, and perhaps go to a church. Ask them about Jesus and who he is. I can tell you all day long that he loves and adores you, and wants you to turn away from your sin, and towards Him. I encourage you to take a step and experience it for yourself.
I’ve experienced his love first-hand, and it radically changed my life. He is my Lord and Savior, and he has given purpose to my life. I used to live a life characterized by partying and finding my value in relationships with girls. I live now to share who he is, what he’s done in my life, and what he wants to do in yours. If you have any questions, please don’t hesistate to ask me. And if I don’t have an answer, I’ll find someone who does.
Thanks again for reading my blog, I truly appreciate it. We have one more month in the country of Malawi! Please pray for a safe journey, and fruitful ministry as we move into our final month on the World Race! If you want to contact me, give me a shout at [email protected]! I may need several days to reply, so please be patient!
I pray that the Lord blesses you on this day,
Kody
