I find myself in month 9 of the World Race; the final one on this magnificent journey of missions and spiritual formation. I can’t help but to reflect on the events of the last year of my life (a common theme that you are probably aware of by now, hence the many reflective blogs), and compare where I was then to where I am now. I’m speaking in spiritual terms of course, because obviously a year ago I was sitting comfortably on our couch at home in the USA, playing video games, and now I am sitting comfortably on a couch in Zambia writing this blog post.
You folks who have followed this adventure from the beginning have most likely picked up on the changes that have occurred along the way. Whether it was learning patience (still struggle with that one), dying to pride (perhaps the fact that this blog is all about me and my spiritual walk suggests I still struggle with that one too), or learning how to live and work with people who are sometimes difficult (as I can be myself). One of the major lessons learned on this Race though, and one that trumps all others, has been prayer and how I connect with and experience the Lord. I have encountered and experimented with many different styles of prayer and worship over the last year.
I remember prior to my departure from home that I anticipated returning a very contemporary, non-denominational Christian, which is the column where Adventures in Missions seems to lean. I even had coffee with a priest about it. I definitely had an open mind. Here I am month 8, and after much experimentation I have reached the conclusion that orthodoxy is where I encounter the Lord and feel his presence. While this Race has changed many facets of my life and opinions, in regards to my prayer life it has been more growing deeper in my orthodox roots. Change has still occurred for sure, as I know it will continue to be different every time I pray, but liturgy and hymns is where it’s at!
It has likewise been interesting learning that people experience the Lord in many different ways, and seemingly no two people are the same in their encounters. For some it is the sound of the band United Pursuit that gets the Spirit moving, and for others (like myself) it’s the sound of the Kings College Cambridge Choir. To each his own!
