What i have learned over the course of the race
- That there is so much more to a relationship with the Lord than church on Sundays, listening to worship music, quiet times, and knowing the “right answers” to all the Sunday school questions. It is like the relationship of you and a best friend…except better.
- That you can seen the Lord’s reflection in people that didn’t even realize they were reflecting Him.
- That there are so many glimpses of Heaven on Earth around us, and we can never see enough of our Father.
- The crown of being a daughter or son of the King of Kings is heavier than I thought.
- Following the Lord is very much a daily thing. Not yearly, not monthly, but daily. Yeah it’s intense but it’s something we have to do, because the Lord is moving and speaking so if we aren’t allowing ourselves to be vessels of Him how many opportunities will we miss to show the Lord’s love.
- Holy Spirit is way more present and powerful than we recognize. In the States we just don’t talk about it. Maybe because we are uncomfortable or scared or surprised…honestly i don’t know, but to simply put it if we ask the Lord to show up, allow Him to be the one leading our days, step into opportunities the Lord brings us…Holy Spirit will do some crazy things
- following the Lord is very much a daily thing. Not yearly, not monthly, but daily. Yeah it’s intense but it’s something we have to do, because the Lord is moving and speaking so if we aren’t allowing ourselves to be vessels of Him how many opportunities will we miss to show the Lord’s love.
- Holy Spirit is way more present and powerful than we recognize. In the States we just don’t talk about it. Maybe because we are uncomfortable or scared or surprised…honestly i don’t know, but to simply put it if we ask the Lord to show up, allow Him to be the one leading our days, step into opportunities the Lord brings us…Holy Spirit will do some crazy things.
- Prayer is so important, and so powerful. Prayer isn’t just asking the Lord to answer this wish of yours or to cover your bases. Prayer can change people’s lives. Prayer can bring healing to the hearts of people. Prayer can bring physical healing.
- How can we expect the Lord to show up in situations when we aren’t inviting Him or allowing Him into them?
- Grace is a necessity.
- Life is what you make it. The race is what you make it. Daily moments are what you make them. If you go into things only looking for the negative you will find the negative. If you go into situations being willing to step out of your comfort zone and love every moment of it…even if it is one of the most difficult times you have experienced the Lord will give you eyes to see it in a way you couldn’t on your own. You will be able to say “Lord I am excited to see how you redeem this.”, you will be able to see hope it in, see the positive in it.
- Fear is a liar, and holds you back so much more than you can imagine.
- You have to learn to love who you are. Doubt, hatred, anger, jealousy, comparison, insecurities, etc. can be your biggest stumbling block in life. Even with all the compliments, encouragements, and attention in the world if you do not love who you are and who the Lord has created you to be you will not be able to hear a single one of those encouragements or compliments.
- After nine months where my biggest responsibility was seeking the Lord and spending time with Him I am still not going to fully be who the Lord created me to be / the perfect version of myself in the garden. I had to recognize that life here on Earth will always be a process and journey towards stepping into more and more of who the Lord created me to be. Yes, I will change and step more into who the Lord has created me to be but I won’t wake up one morning and just be able to say okay sweet I no longer have anything that I need to work on. I will always have to seek the Lord and choose into what He has for me and choose to seek the growth that He wants to walk me through…and that is totally alright.
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- I learned that it is alright to be human…because that’s exactly what I am. This doesn’t mean it’s alright to go and just go do everything I know I am not supposed to…this simply means I will mess up and that is alright, it’s actually expected.
These are just a few things that the race has taught me. It doesn’t matter if you are living the same exact day as someone else, the race teaches you different things because it is your journey with the Lord. It is you and the Lord, and it can be whatever you make it. I have learned lots of hard truths these past nine months. Truths about who I am at my core when I am acting in my flesh. Truths about how following the Lord and being a disciple is much more intimate, real, and present than we usually allow it to be. This was definitely the hardest nine months of my life, but nonetheless so rewarding. I got to see testimonies of the Lord and learn more about Him and who He created me to be. I got to meet some of the most incredible people and experience some crazy adventures that I never would have expected. I got to simply live and dream in a way that I never have before. This list is just a glimpse of what the race taught me, and there are so so many more things. It took lots of difficult times, perseverance, seeking the Lord and His voice more and more constantly. I say this to show that difficulties in your life can bring opportunity for you to experience testimonies of the Lord. These testimonies that I have gotten to experience over the past nine months are such a blessing, and if you would like to hear more about my race or you’re just wondering about the race in general please contact me! These stories are testimonies of the Lord and they deserve to be shared! Also I do want to point out these are not just lessons that can be learned on the race. You can go on journeys with the Lord without going on the race. Honestly, some of the people reading this are probably on some crazy adventure of their own with the Lord at this very moment. I say all of this to encourage you. Encourage you to seek what else the Lord has for you. Chase after His voice and presence, because there is so much more that He has for you. That was one of the biggest things I have taken away from the race. There is more to experience with the Lord, and more to learn about Him. I am so thankful for all this race has been, and everyone involved in it. The race is ending and it makes me sad, but just because the race is ending doesn’t mean that my journey with the Lord is ending. So I am excited to see what is next for me and the Lord.
