How to THRIVE on the World Race and even LIFE.
1) Fight for your time with God- Your time with God is the most important part of your journey [You are probably thinking…well DUH]. Seriously though, you have to FIGHT for your time with Him. If you aren’t filled up, you will be no good to your team or people around you. Find a place with no distractions, or put in your headphones so that no one will disturb you [Hopefully]
TIP: Wake up before everyone else does.
2) Take advantage of your REST DAY- Make this day just for you. It is easy on the race for you to want to hang out with people and go on an adventure on your rest day, especially if you are an extrovert like myself. You have adventure days set aside for a reason, your rest day has to be just as valuable to you if not more. If you enjoy being independent at home, this is your day for that and you NEED it.
TIP: Learn how to say NO.
3) Process/journal- Make it a priority to process at the end of each day, and at the end of each month. TIME FLIES when you are having fun, you will think “Woah, where did the time go and what have we done this month?” If you make time to process, it makes it easier to look back on the month and see what God did, what you are learning and where you are at. It prepares you for what is next and it should challenge you for the next month.
TIP: Ask yourself good questions and invite the Holy Spirit into your processing.
TIP #2- Don’t wait until debrief to debrief.
4) Community – OWN it. The people on your team are there for a purpose. OWN your part, and take responsibility for your actions.
FOUR important words that may help…
*Challenge- You will be challenged and you will challenge others. This is where growth happens and change takes place in your heart, character, knowledge and gifts.
*Vulnerability- The quicker you allow yourself to be open and transparent with your team and squad, trust will be built and relationships will grow.
*Learn- You don’t know everything. People come from all different backgrounds and beliefs, it’s important to learn from others and seek understanding. Don’t be afraid to allow people to teach you, and don’t be afraid to try new things.
*Pursue- How are you going to fight for family? How are you going to love and serve them? How are you going to pursue each person?
TIP: Learn how to love the SUCK.
5) Get OUT of your comfort zone- Opportunities will come up for you to do something you have never done before, DO IT AFRAID. God will use you in incredible ways and will give you whatever you need, whenever you need it. Take a chance and watch God use you outside of your realm of what you are good at. You will learn new things and grow, when you step into the uncomfortable.
TIP- Honor God, don’t fear man.
6) Ministry- Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, go out and LIVE. There are opportunities all around you to love, serve, share the gospel, and pray for someone. It doesn’t have to be a scary thing. Be you, love Jesus and be intentional with those around you.
“Christ didn’t call us to “ministry” He called us to life and life abundantly…and that ministers”. –Hakeem Helmy
TIP- Get to know people in the community, invite them to dinner or to play games, build relationships that will open the door for conversations about your faith.
7) Focus on the present and on his presence. Live with God in the moment, and don’t focus so much on the future, God will take care of that himself. It is fun to dream about what you and your friends will want to do together after the race, but don’t let it become so much of your focus that you miss out on the opportunities that you have with them in the present and what God is wanting you to see.
TIP- Surrender your plans, and allow God to show you His plans for you and your future when he is ready to show you. [This is especially important the closer you get to the end of the race]
8) Pray for BIG things but don’t have expectations- Embrace and enjoy what God is wanting to do in you and others without an expectation of it looking the way you think it should look.
TIP- Expect God to do big things and even pray for it, but expect God to do what He wants, when and how he wants to do it.
9) Be flexible and LAUGH at the moments that are challenging- You will have time after time where something just goes wrong. Like when the shower is so cold it burns your skin, when someone locks the keys in the car your borrowing for the month with the engine still running, when the sink floods the bathroom every day, or like when you try to get on a bus 4 times and its not working out. Laughter is key my friends and being able to be flexible in any situation you walk in to.
TIP- When you want to complain, Laugh instead.
10) Find time to EXERCISE- The budget on the race is small, so you will get your fill of carbs. It’s true…Men lose weight and women gain on the race. You will feel so much better if you set aside time as a team or for yourself to work out.
TIP- Eat all the veggies and fruit you can, when you can.
11)HAVE FUN- Live everyday as an adventure, and when you get adventure days makes the MOST of it! Do something wild, eat pickled snails or something weird. You will have memories that last a lifetime!
TIP- Time seriously FLIES by. Make the most of this crazy wild adventure God has given you called life.
