Peru was good to me. Even after just a few days, it began to feel like home. I can’t believe it’s only been three weeks. The Lord taught me so much during my time here. But there were four big things that will stick with me even after leaving.
P a u s e
Stop. Look around. Who are the people in front of me? Who are the people that get passed so often? Who are the people that need a simple smile? This month taught me how to open my eyes to those people. It taught me how to hear the Holy Spirit when He says, “pause from your activity and go pray for that person.” I learned (and am still learning) how to pause and ask someone their name and a little about their story. Back in the States, I’m so focused on going somewhere or getting something done that I so often miss those opportunities. I’ve also learned to simply pause and pray. When we’re about to go do something, even something so simple as buy groceries or deodorant, I have learned to pause and ask the Lord who He wants me to see or what He wants me to do. Because ultimately that is what this life is about.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah (pause, and think about it).
E x t r a v a g a n t
Life with Jesus is the best life there is. It is an abundant life. I want to live an extravagant life, and with Jesus that is possible no matter where I am or what I’m doing. But what I am learning is that extravagant doesn’t just mean hiking through some mountains in the middle of Peru. Extravagant life with Jesus can look like praying for someone you pass on the street or blowing bubbles with children in the plaza of a big city. Extravagant life is sharing Jesus with anyone you come in contact with so that they may also have the abundant life Jesus came to give us.
John 10:10
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
R e s t
I have practiced a Sabbath for a few years now. Although recently it hasn’t been very consistent. In college classes, we talked about the importance of Sabbath and rest. I know the importance of resting. I know that physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, I need rest. But I have always been terrible at resting. Even when I say I’m resting I usually am thinking about what I need to do, or I may even be working on something. But even in the two Sabbaths I have taken while on the Race, I have learned how to set aside all “work”, put my phone down, pull into the Presence of the Father and just sit there. That is where I have found true rest. Only in Him can I find the rest that will sustain me.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
U n i t y
Over the last three weeks, I have lived with people from different backgrounds. Something the Lord has shown me is the unity we have in Him. Even though we are all different, we have one thing in common – Jesus. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. My specific team, Amor, has stayed united in our mission, even when there is the tension of different thoughts, ideas, and preferences. We stick together and lean into the Lord together. It hasn’t always been easy, we’ve already faced some tension. But the one thing that keeps us together is our love for Jesus. It is a beautiful thing how the Lord brings us from all over for the same purpose!
Galatians 3:26-28
So, in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
These seem like fairly simple things. But the Lord knew I needed to be reminded of these things before I got too far into the Race. These four things will stick with me for the rest of the Race.
And with that, I say, farewell Peru. Thanks for a great first month. I will miss you, but I will be back. Now, on to Chile!
