Here I sit, at final debrief, after going through a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. My team and the others had wade through the sea of children waiting tearfully to say goodbye to us just 2 days ago. We’ve gone from impoverished back road community to main road downtown Livingstone. We’ve gone from tents to beds, from ministry to mental processing. We’re at final debrief.
Some would look from the outside and see my fellow racers and I and admire all the cool ministry opportunities we have. Things like football (soccer) ministry, prison ministry, church ministry, radio ministry and teaching English, French and Spanish just to name a few opportunities we’ve had through these 9 months. Truth is yea, it’s cool and yes it’s something new I got to experience on the Race.
Others might marvel at the different crazy and exciting adventures we’ve had. Riding elephants, cuddling tigers, walking with lions, bungee jumping at the Victoria Falls, climbing active volcanoes among other memories made. All these have been fun, at times scary but all memorable.
Still some may wish they had the opportunities to explore the lush country of Guatemala and experience the culture of the Mayan people. Some may prefer the ever so respectful and beautiful culture of the Thai people as they shared with us their pristine beaches, mountain ranges and spicy food in the Land of Smilies. Others yet may have wanted to join us as we dove into the African experience of Zambia – a land full of wildlife, hospitality, football and nshima.
Some would want to be here with us. Whether you’re young or old, I know you’re out there, just wishing for an experience like this. Some of you may be wishing for the good life.
Stop wishing.
The good life isn’t what I described above. It isn’t traveling to different countries and experiencing new things, new food or new culture. It’s none of that. The good life is remaining in God’s will, knowing that He has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Knowing that He has amazing things for you to do. Amazing experiences to be had… you just have to say yes.
Each follower of God has a promise. A promise of an abundant life – not necessarily an easy life, but one full of excitement and awesome. We just have to say yes and never quit on it no matter how hard it gets. Whether you’re in some other country or back home, you are equipped and called to such service.
I’m only 3 days away from hopping on a plane to head home. When I get there the last thing I want is for anyone to think that I’m some great person for going or that to do awesome things one must live overseas. None of that is true. There is nothing good in me and the only way I could live in community, the only way I could serve others, the only way I could awaken each and every day was by God’s grace. It has absolutely nothing to do with me. Likewise how you minister has nothing to do with you and everything to do with God.
I don’t want to go home and say, ‘Wow, the Race was the best God experience of my life!’ No. No, God has so much more. The Race was a good season – hard, but good. Now it is time for me to come home and dive into the next season! It’s time for me to commit to what God has next, to say yes to the hard things like I did on the Race. I don’t have to go anywhere for God to do amazing things for others and for me – I just have to say yes.
So soon enough I’ll be home. I’ll celebrate a great season of growth and look forward to the next. I hope that each one of you reading this chooses to dive in – to say yes to God and what He wants to do. Be a racer at home, at work and at play. Live each moment to glorify God. Live each moment expectant of God to do big things.
Remember God is just as present at home as He is in Guatemala, Thailand or Zambia.
Live your life in God’s hands – live the good life.
