The World Race is a journey of a series of Goodbyes.
We say goodbye to our friends and family as we launch into the field.
Each country we leave we must say a farewell to the friends we’ve made who have opened their hearts and homes to us.
Each debrief we must say goodbye to our fellow squad mates.
Each team change we must say goodbye to our previous teams.
Soon we must say goodbye to our alumni Team Leaders and Squad Leaders.
We even say goodbye to our former selves as the Lord continues to grow us.
So many goodbyes.
But a goodbye means that there was once a hello.
And that hello signals a change:
A change of location.
A change of environment.
A change of people to have the opportunity to love.
A change signals new opportunities lay ahead.
Growth cannot exist without change.
And each goodbye is just as special as that hello..
That tough goodbye means that there was a lot of love shared.
And love is what binds us together.
Love bridges the distance.
Love means that the goodbye is not forever but more of a “I’ll see you again someday.” And trusting that the Lord will protect your heart and that the love you gave you will receive in full.
Goodbyes never get easier, in fact, as I continue to journey a long, the goodbyes seem to get more difficult and I think it’s because I’m learning to trust my heart in the Lord’s hands and give myself more fully to those around me. After all, when you hold yourself back you not only deprive yourself of receiving full love but you also deprive those around you of experiencing the full you that God created you to be.
Keep saying the hellos and keep saying the goodbyes and keep trusting the Lord completely.
He is good.
