When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, I couldn’t help but reflect on what they new year had in store. In two days, I’d be flying to Boston, MA to start a new phase of my life. Eight months later, I’d be leaving the country, taking on a new milestone. We all know time goes by fast. With the blink of an eye, it already could be June 4, the first day of training camp. What did I get myself into? Am I ready?
I definitely am not ready to take off on the race. Before each race, one has to undergo a lot of practice and training. Training is never easy, but finding the fun factor eases the pain. My training involves fundraising, growing spiritually, and getting out of my comfort zone. Starting life in a new city sure puts me out of my comfort zone. I’m living with four people I previously did not know, and it’s my first time being responsible for household bills. I’m working with third graders at a local school and have to put on my teacher face every early morning. I’ve been working nine weeks thus far and still have the job of learning names each week because my working cohort is so large.
As an introvert, I’m trying my best to put myself out there and engage more with the crowds I find myself in. In the missions field, I’m going to be seeing a lot of new faces every day, and it will be my role to reach out to them first. Thoughts that run through my mind when I’m in an unknown crowd are: “Who looks friendly? Who can I relate with? Do I fit in this crowd? Is this my place?” Soon enough, I’ll either shy away or join a group that seems welcoming. That’s what I’ve been struggling with since I moved to Boston: trying to find my place.
I’ve made many friends since I began my new job, more than I expected. I have awesome roommates and work with a great team of people. Still I wonder, is this where I belong? I think to myself, maybe if I do what they do, then I’ll fit in. Maybe if I talk like they talk, then I’ll fit in. Maybe if I try this little thing, they’ll think of me as their own. Then I realize if I do it all, I’m only putting on an act. I need to remember to be true to myself and be who I was created to be. As tempting as the world may be, trying to pull me away, I am awake to that illusion and remind myself to stay on track. I need to stay focused on the goal and not let myself wander for the sake of fitting in. As it is said, why fit in when you were born to stand out?
“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
Why am I different? Why are my ways not like the rest? Why do I say no when everyone says yes? I am a child of the King and I know it. I know my identity and that I have a purpose. I am not home, but on my way home. I cannot get too comfortable with the world, for it is not where I belong. Still while I am here, wherever God puts me, I have a part to play, a duty to fulfill. Instead of surrounding myself only with people who live like me, I‘m putting myself out there and finding my seat at the robots table (check out Robot by Trip Lee). I’m going to be with them, but not going to be them. I’m going to be with them, remembering to stay on track and use the opportunity to minister to them.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John 3:1
On the World Race I’m going to be surrounded by many who do not know God. It’s my calling to tell them of the Gospel. I’ll be able to tell them that everyone has a chance to be born again and made new. First we are born into the world and fit in the ways of the world. We do not know who we are, believe we are unique, yet are just another carbon copy of our neighbor. When born again, we are born in Christ; we are children of God. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A new creation, revived with purpose and will.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-9
Something that they who are born once do not know is that there is eternal life and they are on a path headed to destruction. Only through Christ can they receive the gift of salvation. Salvation sets us on a path to heaven, but only they who endure, they who are committed, get to sit with God and wear the crown. Salvation is not just standing up in church and saying a prayer. There has to be an experience with God. It comes down to you accepting Christ and making the commitment to follow Him. I decided long ago to follow Jesus and still today I choose to follow. It isn’t easy, but my eyes are fixed on God. I will continue to run the race until I cross the finish line, running into my Father’s arms. Who do you follow, God or everyone?
