When things don’t go as planned or they don’t go “our” way, my first reaction is always to get upset. Who told me life had a specific way it should go? Even things I’ve planned don’t have to go according to plan. In all reality, the question I should ask is: what right do I have to think I have control over anything? I have always felt that there are certain rights that I am entitled to. Sometimes I think these subconsciously and other times I am fully aware that I believe I am entitled. I mean, after all, there are things that entitle me, right? I am a human, a US Citizen, a Christian, a husband and much more. Don’t these things come with basic rights and entitlements?
When Molly and I first arrived at training camp, we were pulled to the side and were told there had been a change of leadership; the married couple on leadership was no longer on our route. They gave us the opportunity to change, but said the decision was ultimately ours and that they understood if we felt connected to our current route. Immediately I got frustrated for no reason other than I was mad that they thought they could change what I had decided to do (as if I had any control over the things I do anyways). Later that night, the leadership reminded the racers that throughout the year, things we think are “rights” would be challenged. For instance, we may not get alone time or get to go to the countries we had planned on. As we prayed about our decision, I began to think about how many things I feel like I have a right to have. I realized that ultimately, the only thing I can count on as constant is Christ.
The situation reminded me of the story where Jesus calms the storm in Luke 8:22-25. We find Jesus saying to the disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” The disciples do not ask if it is safe; they do not ask if it is easy; they just simply go. However, when a storm picks up, they begin to fear for their lives and wake Jesus up fearing that they will all drown. Jesus quickly calms the storm and asks, “Where is you faith?” The disciples had forgotten that Jesus had asked them to go across the lake.
So where is our faith? Why do we feel that we have the “right” to live a certain way and be a certain way? Jesus never promised an easy journey to the other side; he did, however, promise a destination and taught us that when he gives us a destination that we can put our faith in him, even when things go against the plan. So, next time you think you “deserve” to be treated a certain way or have the “right” to a specific situation remember that it is Christ alone who we can truly trust and follow.
While you have already met our Team, the picture to the right is our Squad. The Squad is made up of several teams traveling on the same route.
Also, for those of you who were wondering our new route is as follows: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Romania, Moldova, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, India, Nepal, China, and the Philippines.
