Walking into the Race I knew the Lord would change, teach and grow me. I knew there would be healing and reconciliation through Him. What I didn’t know was how much change I would go through and how much healing and growth would come from serving and loving people around the world with Jesus.
A lot of the change in my life has come in a change of perspective. There are quit a few perspectives that I had that have been altered since coming on the Race. My perspective on the world has changed. I used to think that the world was this huge place that was scary and unknown. Now I’ve seen that you can find people and become friends with just about anyone. Plus, I literally just flew around the entire globe in 9 months. The world is a lot smaller then I made it out to be in my head.
My perspective of Men, Boundaries, and Marriage has changed as well. Not all men are bad and sometimes they literally just want to be friends/brothers and it’s awesome! Boundaries are a huge thing and the Race really helped with my perspective, view and thought process on what boundaries should/need to look like. Then there’s marriage. I have always wanted to get married and still very much want too. What’s changed is that I am now content with Jesus and know that He will show the right guy at the right time who I am. I really have to do nothing cause it’s not my job to pursue anyone but Jesus.
My perspective on friendships has changed drastically. I am so grateful for this. I know now that real friends will be there for you 24/7, support you, encourage you in your walk with the Lord, give you “feedback” when you need it, not pressure you into things you don’t want to do/tempt you, and love you regardless of your sinful nature.
My perspective of Church and Missions has changed. Church is us, the body of believers. Coming together to love the broken, lost and hurting world. Wherever we are and whetever we are doing we can always see, hear, and touch the people around us with the gospel.
My perspective of Money has changed. Yes, money is cool and you can use it for a lot of really good things but being generous with it is so fun and much more fulfilling. Money is a tool that we can use to further the kingdom of God if we don’t cling to it for security and comfort. The Lord always provides and I know I can trust Him with my finances.
My perspective of Family and Community has not changed but definitely has been strengthened and more appreciated. I always knew what I had back home was special. The family I have is unique and I am very blessed. The community that my parents have built and created within our home is rare and God has blessed it tremendously. Everyone loves eachother so well and we support and care for one another through good and bad circumstances.
Coming onto the race I kind of expected change within my life to come right away. Yet, It wasn’t a quick paced change where one day I was one way and the next day I was completely changed. It took time, patience and a willingness to grow and recieve correction walking step by step with Jesus. You can’t change until you are willing to let God move and change you or you are pushed to the point where you have to change or you will suffer consequences. Even then some people still chose not to change. God used the Race and it has changed a lot, the first thing it changed was my love for the Lord. It also strengthened my relationship with Him. It opened my eyes to the importance of scripture, memorization, fasting, and praying among many other things. It has given me an appreciation for the United States and the fact that we can openly be Christian and not be persecuted to very many extremes.
So yes, my life has changed from this journey. I know it doesn’t stop here though. I will continue to grow, change and learn as I go home and continue to follow the path that the Lord has laid out before me. In reality the Lord has changed my life and He just used the Race to bring me the people who had the skills, knowledge, tools, and experience to be able to pour into me during these last 9 months. It’s been an amazing journey and I am excited to see the next chapter in my story to play out.
