I can’t believe this journey has come to a close. I’m simultaneously feeling like this year has been more like 5, while also feeling like I blinked and 11 months flew by before my eyes. As cliché as it sounds, my life truly will never look the same after this year. I’ve seen things I could’ve never imagined I’d see with my own eyes. I’ve walked into some of the darkest places in the world and declared light. I experienced deep loneliness and also unrelenting joy. I’ve had days I prayed would continue on forever and days I prayed I’d be able just make it through. I experienced the freedom of walking in my identity and trusting the Holy Spirit inside me and I witnessed God’s hand in many different ministries worldwide; the human trafficking epidemic in Asia, the AIDS crisis in Africa, and addiction in Central America.
Over a year ago I applied for the WorldRace and got accepted. I went back on forth and whether to actually go through with this thing, but it was evident this was where God was calling me. I’ll be forever grateful that I said yes.
I signed up because I wanted to be apart of the cool things God is doing all over the world. I wanted to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and set the captives free. I wanted to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Less talk, more action! I was blessed to be apart of a lot of different ministries that did, in fact, do these things! I saw many people released from the chains of captivity and for the first time, experience the love of the Father. It’s been a beautiful year and I’m humbled to have been apart of everything God is doing.
I look back on all the great intentions I had when I left for the race, all the while the Lord had so much more in store than I could’ve ever even dreamed. I was blown away by how intentional and ever-present our God is. I went out to change the world and my heart was molded in the process. My perspective of God shifted from a God I was following to a God I was walking with daily. A God who loves His kids so much that He would send someone like me halfway across the world to love them and speak truth over their lives. What a good good Father we have!
There’s a ton of things I’m going to take away from this year, but one in particular trumps the rest. At Parent Vision Trip, I was asked to share something about the WorldRace for the parents. Something that impacted me, something I learned, etc.
I chose to share about intimacy with Christ. In my eyes, there’s nothing more intimate than the relationship between God and His children. Not marriage, not parent and child, not lasting friendship, but the relationship we have with God.
Knowing, and being completely known by God.
The more time I spend in the quiet places alone with the Lord, the more I get to know Him and love him. The more history we develop together. The more I want to be known by Him. The more I want to live fiercely loving His people. The more sensitivity I develop to His voice. The more I want to extend grace to others. The less I feel like I need to be anything other than who I am. The less I care what others think. The less I feel like I need to meet a standard, because I am, already was, and always will be completely loved and known.
The cool thing about intimacy with our Creator is that it’s not driven by emotions or seasons in life, but by desire to be known. The desire to be in constant communion with the God that lives inside of us. Y’all the Holy Spirit freaking dwells inside us! Soak in that daily, soak in the truth that God is literally always with you. We’re always in the presence of God! In a coffee shop, at work, in a puddle of tears, in a field of flowers. It doesn’t matter. In the book of Psalms it even says we cannot escape the presence of God. How cool is that?
I’ve seen so much fruit solely from sitting in the presence of God and learning to just be with him. I’ve learned to get filled up by the Lord daily, and become an overflowing cup for others.
I’m an ENFP and we tend to ramble a lot, which I’m sure I did in this blog, but if there’s anything I hope you take away from this blog, it’s this – let yourself be known and loved by God; cultivate authentic love, grace, and peace and let those things spill out onto your friends, family, and strangers! Be an overflow of the Father’s heart wherever you are!
Before I close this blog, I’ll share a few more thoughts/things I’ve learned this year that I’m stoked to take into my next season of life in the states:
1. My feelings are fleeting, therefore they don’t redefine the truths of who God is.
2. My seasons of life don’t determine Gods goodness or faithfulness.
3. Ministry is not defined by a schedule or time slot. Ministry is life, y’all.
4. I can boldly enter into the presence of God no matter where I am, because He dwells within me.
5. Desiring intimacy with Christ means desiring authenticity which isn’t always pretty.
6. Dependency on Christ is not only healthy, but necessary.
7. You can be a missionary in Africa, Starbucks, or under a bride in the slums.
8. Physical health, spiritual health, and emotional health are interconnected.
I can’t believe 11 months have come and gone. I’m so thankful for this year. The good, the bad, and even the ugly. I could’ve never imagined what this year would hold. All the people I would meet. All the places I would see. I can’t help but want to sing sweet praises to God for how incredible this year has been. I also want to say another THANK YOU to everyone who supported me financially – you’re just as much apart of this journey as me! You rock and I hope to see each of you very soon!
Welp, that’s all folks!
