Within friend groups, families, and basically any circle you hangout in (work, school, church etc.) there is a culture that is cultivated within that group.
Something I’ve noticed on the race is that the culture we have here is very different from back home.
Just a few examples:
-Back home if someone came to me with a problem they are having or the newest gossip I would listen and offer advice or listen and contribute to the gossip.
On the race if someone comes to me with a problem or gossip the typical response would be “did you pray about it yet?” And that’s what people expect to hear. And likewise if I were to approach a friend on the race about a problem I’m having their first response would be the same.
-Back home I probably wasn’t the most servant hearted. My dad would have to ask me to do the dishes and clean my room about 15 times before I even thought about actually doing it.
On the race we are here to serve. That’s our goal of these 9 months to serve others and lead them to Christ. While I didn’t sign up for the race to clean others dishes, clothes, and sweep their houses that is one of the things I find myself actually finding joy in. I’ve learned to serve others with a servant heart and not doing it out of a place of being mad or like I’m forced to do these this but instead out of a place of joy that I get to serve others in such a way that actually blesses them!
-Back home i honestly would rarely do quite time. I would occasionally crack open my bible and read through a chapter or two. But here on the race we set apart time everyday for everyone to have their personal quite time everyday. We read our bibles daily and all of us are totally okay and open to coming to each other with our biblical questions and comments and walk through it all together!
-Back home if I had an issue with someone or their actions I would probably keep quite about it and never talk to them about it. On the race we have weekly feedback. We pray about what we want to bring up to our teammates and very nicely and prayerfully give them either positive or constructive feedback. I’ve seen so much fruit come of this and it was honestly one of the things I was most scared about coming on the race!
That’s just a few examples of the culture we have cultivated on the race. I can’t wait to go back home and put these habits in to effect.
I encourage you to pick up on some of these habits and put them into effect in your circle of friends, coworkers, families, etc.
I promise you will see fruit come of it!!
Love, Em
