As insane as the World Race is, at some point the craziness begins to take on a sense of normalcy. The long bus rides, the lack of hygiene, the strange food, and all the rest of it goes from feeling like a wild adventure to everyday life. It’s easy to lose sight of the privilege it is to be living and experiencing all that this year entails.
Every once in a while, though, we find ourselves somewhere that causes us to look at one another and ask if this is, in fact, real life. Are we really doing this right now? Will anyone ever understand what we’re living and doing? How did we get here?
The Exit Tour has been one of those reality checks. We’re considered to be a part of the American team, so we travel everywhere in the van with the members of the band. The day we met up with the tour I fell asleep while traveling to our first destination. I woke up from my nap and got a case of the giggles. (I know, hard to believe, right?) I just couldn’t stop laughing! John Michael, who was zoned out from the long road trip, just looked at me in confusion. He had no idea what could be so funny in that moment. I looked at him and said, “What do you mean what’s so funny? Right now we are riding in a van with a band from LA, in the middle of the Czech Republic and have no idea where we are or where we are going!”
I just can’t help but stop and appreciate those moments. The past two weeks may be one of the most random experiences we ever have, and it makes me acutely aware of how rare these opportunities are. The length of race causes it to feel normal and even mundane at times, but I want to fight that. I want to recognize how special and unique these moments are in the midst of them. I want to be present for each, “Is this real life?” moment.
John Michael and I with the band and the rest of the American Team!
We will undoubtedly have story upon story to tell for years to come when we return home. Being able to share this year as a couple is invaluable, and I hope one day we are sharing these peculiar moments with our grandchildren. Ultimately, though, I hope for more than this. Each of these unique experiences has one common thread; we are able to take part in them because of someone’s desire to begin radical change. The Exit Tour and so many of the ministry opportunities we’ve had this year are birthed out of a vision for the gospel to be taken to anywhere and everywhere…even to a high school of 300 students in a tiny town in the Czech Republic. I want to take with us not only the great stories but also the vision for change. I want to take the desire to live a radical life, committed to Christ and the furthering of God’s kingdom.
