It’s been roughly three hundred days since I have been on this journey called the World Race. Some of you might have read my blogs and seen my posts — if so, you’ve seen the filtered version, what I’ve wanted you to see.
What you can’t see are the hardships that I’ve encountered, the stories I’ve heard, and the people that struggle to survive on a day to day basis. However, depicting such occurrences by means of word or image seems unjust and incomprehensible at best.
Wth that said, my intent for this blog is to share with you why I have not posted as many pictures or blogs that you might have expected. Why I haven’t been able to share every moment of this journey with you, and why I have been convicted by the fact that you can’t understand what it is I’ve seen.
Intentionality — it’s a buzzword here on the race, but it’s a truth that I want to flow through everything I do back home. During ministry, I try my best to be as intentional as I can and then once I’ve reached that, I try even harder. I look for ways to bless people, pick up on bits of their stories that I can remember and ask questions about, but ultimately I try my best for every part of my interaction to point back to Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times I want to capture a moment via photo or video. But I choose not to because it would be insensitive or might take away from the moment. In those times I pray that God would help me remember the people, their stories, their faces, their laughter, their joy. Oh their joy! I have to tell you, something so beautiful is the joy that the love of Christ brings.
I have met so many people that their most prized possession is their salvation! It is a beautiful and inspirational thing to see. It’s encouraging and stirs a desire within me. In poverty, people live with less tangibly, but in so many ways they have more spiritually and eternally. At least this is the case for most I’ve encountered. They have a love for Jesus that is focused and intentional.
They do not have their careers or climbing the ladder to distract them. They do not have the latest technology or fashion to find identity in. They know that the things of this world are temporary and that their relationship with Jesus surpasses all earthly things and desires. These are the truths I cannot capture in photos. These are the truths that I hold onto. These are the truths I can learn only by conversation, observation, interaction and intentionality.
I’m sorry if you’ve felt like I haven’t posted enough, especially in the latter end of the race but I want you to understand the heart behind the lack. I have wanted to be here, 110%. Some days that is easier said than done especially with the days dwindling down but my heart is to be here physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
I have spent far too much time doing the, “I’m listening but really I’m thinking of everything I have going on in my life” thing. The Race has been an opportunity to truly lay that to rest and to practice intentional listening. Through that it’s been proven to me time and time again that the most valuable and important thing in this life are people. Loving people, hearing their hearts and hurts and being able to minister to them through the only thing that truly provides comfort, Jesus Christ.
I am so honored that I’ve been able to share this with you. I have had the privilege to travel the world all in the name of Jesus. I have served and helped people that the Lord put in my life by divine appointments. I have laughed, cried, worshipped, rejoiced with people of all ages, ethnicities, and religions. I have learned what life looks like when you are truly walking out your faith rather than talking about it.
I have learned that you don’t need to speak the same language to show love. I have learned that not all will accept the kindness of Jesus and that those who judge do not and cannot affect the call the King has placed on my life. I have learned what it means to have an unoffendable heart. I have learned to distinguish the only voice that truly matters, the voice of truth, the voice of my King.
All I’ve learned has been through a combination of beautiful people I’ve met (both squadmates and locals), the circumstances I’ve encountered, and truths I’ve learned from countless hours in community, in the word, worshipping, in prayer, and in intercession. These are the things that I cannot convey through a social media post.
Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Matthew 25: 40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 7:16-20 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
