You know when you sign up for something and it’s not what you expect? World Race is one of those things. I signed up thinking it would be a year of service, growth, and following the call of the Lord. It has hands down been these things…but so much more. I am now exactly ½ of the way through my race (I can’t believe it), and as I look back on the past couple months, I’m in awe of what God has done in me and through me, in addition to my whole squad.
Honduras was two incredible months of growth. While our ministry at the special needs home was more laid back, we had lots of time with the Lord and with each other. I tried writing this blog a few different ways, but I decided to simply make a list of 25 things I learned in Honduras.
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Both hope and hopelessness are contagious…you have to decide what influence you want to have on the world.
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Sometimes we make the excuse that the Bible doesn’t nourish us because we forgot what it says…but I don’t remember what I had for breakfast last week, and it still nourished me.
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The devil has power but no authority.
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True freedom comes when we no longer need to be somebody special in other people’s eyes because we know we are lovable and good enough.
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Ask God, “where does it hurt?” so you can be aware of where He is pruning you and corporate as He works in your life.
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Abiding more and doing less results in more fruit.
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When you wake up, see a breakfast of mercies waiting and a future as big as God’s love.
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I was created for abundance!
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The key to success in life is discovering the power of loving others well.
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Love is an attitude.
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The best way to start the day is in thanksgiving.
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Compassion comes from praying for those who hurt you. It comes from seeing Christ on the cross for those people.
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You are rewarded for you faithfulness, not the responsibilities you’ve been given.
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You are commissioned and permissioned to arrive at life as your own weird and wonderful self.
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There is beauty in simplicity: I found so much joy in hand-washing laundry, making homemade tortillas with Yolanda, and reading books on our balcony.
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One of our greatest obstacles in knowing God is our own lack of self-knowledge.
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Shame is the counterfeit of repentance.
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If you’re constantly afraid of being wrong, you’ll rarely be right about the things that matter.
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Jesus didn’t start his ministry until He was 30, but he was ready as a young boy. Sometimes God has us wait–not because we aren’t ready–but because He’s waiting for the perfect timing…something only He could know.
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Pain is the tax of life–but who doesn’t buy something because of the tax?
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Grieving is evidence that you were given a gift–something to celebrate.
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If you have to choose between being trusted or trustworthy, always choose to be trustworthy.
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Spiritual authority has been given to me and every believer.
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Peace comes from forgiveness–when there is no more bitterness left in your heart.
- The people at the special needs orphanage reminded me that we all reflect God’s glory in our own beautiful, unique ways.
Over the last 4½ months, I’ve been stretched, challenged, refined, and pushed way out of my comfort zone. I’ve grown more than I could have ever thought possible. I’ve learned (and am continuing to learn) what it looks like to make intimacy with the Lord, missional living, and community the center of my life. I’ve seen people healed. I’ve seen evil flee at the name of the Jesus. I’ve seen lives transformed and lives committed to the Lord for the first time. I’ve experienced spiritual warfare from the front lines. I’ve started to grasp what complete dependence on God looks like. I’ve discovered SO much about myself. I’ve laughed, cried, fumed, danced, wrestled, and rejoiced. I’ve sat in solitude, and I’ve experienced the power of the Holy Spirit flow through me in bold, empowering ways. Overall, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude. The experiences I’ve gotten to have with the people I get to do life with blows my mind every day (who else gets to ride insane chicken buses, hike through rain-forests, and spread Christ’s love to the widows, orphans, and poor of the world?). In addition, I have the most incredible leadership team who love me with crazy, crazy love, and who give me so much guidance and wisdom. Ultimately, I’m grateful for a God who continues to reveal more and more to me every single day. World Race is showing me how to live abundantly. It is teaching me how to live fearlessly. It is revealing to me how to live radically. I’m living life, and I’m living it well. Here’s to 4½ more months!
