At the beginning of the year, in January, our leadership told us they wanted to try something new with our World Race route. They said we were going to have a “sister squad,” which is R Squad, and they set up both of our routes in such a way that they would cross paths randomly throughout the year.
Our small Fusion squad, made up of 20 people, met all of R squad’s 40 members in Malaysia and it was awkward…maybe the most awkward introduction of my life y’all. But as our squads continued to purposely cross routes in the same countries, they became an extension of our family.
And so, over the next few months, our squads met together in Thailand, Nepal, and lastly, Nicaragua. Before arriving in month 10, our leadership told us we were going to have a conference called Awakening and we were going to be running most of it. These are unique conferences organized by Adventures in Missions because it’s where squads currently on the field come together with local missionaries and staff who fly in.
Awakening: an act of waking from sleep; an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something; coming into existence or awareness.
Our mentors said, “The Awakening will be the unifying of our squads, the regional hosts, and the REAP Granada Staff (one of Adventure’s Long Term Bases) for a few days of worship, teaching, prayer, encouragement, fellowship and activation.”
Our Awakening Conference was intentionally set in our 10th month, towards the end of our race, to activate us for our next season of life. Ministry, missions, worship etc doesn’t end just because the race does. This race isn’t just eleven months. It’s to push us to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
I believe that everything the Lord calls us presently into is meant to launch us into our next season; into things even greater than where we presently are. The greatness, the fun, the adventures, the glory – all of it – God always has so much more for us to experience.
So at Awakening, our squads led break out sessions, worship, intercessory prayer, hospitality, storytelling, evangelism, games and more. It. Was. So. Fun.
And I am expectant to see God show up this next season of my life. Though it will look vastly different than preparing for the race, I know He has incredible things planned for me if I’m willing to say yes to Him.
To be honest, I’ve had conflicting feelings about going home. I am both excited and also fearful that my life will be boring and mundane compared to this past year. However, that’s not what God has for me at all. He is not a boring God. He is fun. And He loves adventures. And whether I’m traveling around the world, or living in the same small Georgia town for a year, He has great, wonderfully big plans for me. All I have to do is say yes.
And He has great, wonderfully big plans for you too. Whatever this past season looked like that you’ve been in, He has more for you.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Whatever season He’s calling you into next, He has been preparing you for it. He’s been readying you to take on anything that comes at you. Reflect on this past season, remember the times God has been faithful to you, and be expectant of Him showing up in incredible ways in your future. Get activated for your next season and ask God to awaken you for what’s next.
