I have just finished the last stages of training and have been given five steps to guide me towards a successful World Race. As I prepare to depart with my squad tonight (Sunday July 7th), I will be keeping these steps in mind throughout my Race.
The first step is to have a willingness to grow and change. I have never gone through anything like this before, I have no clue who I am going to be in a year and I am a little nervous. But, if God is the one changing me, I have nothing to fear. I have changed dramatically since I first made the decision to follow Jesus when I was 15. If the Lord is willing to continue to transform me as he has been for the last 8 years, then I am 100% all in for what ever changes take place over the next 11 months.
The second step is that I need the presence of God. God has already been so faithful over the last 10 months, through the miracle of becoming fully funded after 6 months of fundraising, to blessing me with an unshakable faith. I am certain that if I seek God earnestly he will make himself known to me. I also need to be aware that I must choose to make Jesus a priority in my life. If I am having the best, worst, or most normal time, I want my desire for the presence of God to be so urgent that I never miss him when, where and how he shows up.
The third step is to maintain a positive attitude. When my circumstances are horrible and I have no way to change them I have the ability and responsibility to change my attitude. I’ve heard it said many times by my friend, Stacy, “chose joy”. As in I have the choice to be a debbie downer or to see and experience the joy in any situation. Philippians 4:4 reads“ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Always doesn’t mean when I feel like it. Always means when I am sitting on a stinky hot bus, sharing a seat with two other people and we have ten more hours to go. Always means when I am sick, tired, home-sick, bored, threatened, cold, smelly, or any other thing else. It’s going to be easy to be joyful when I’m healthy and having fun. I look forward to the opportunities where I can chose to rejoice during the difficult and trying times.
The fourth step is the need for a good community. I will already be in community with at least seven others everyday of the race (shout out to team Reckless Redemption!) My attitude, willingness to change and eagerness for the Lords presence will be playing a large role in the health of my community. I again have a choice, I can chose to serve my teammates and put their needs above mine or not. It will also be vital to be honest, vulnerable and open. When I am struggling with something personal or have an issue with somebody, it will tear my community apart if I do not communicate openly.
The fifth and final step is to go with a limited amount of emotional baggage. When issues or struggles from my past come up on the race, I am certain that I may be broken but not shattered to pieces. I will need support from my team during those times but I won’t become a burden to them.
While these five steps are for a successful World Race, they can also be applied to everyday life. I challenge you to walk along with me in this process of having a willingness to grow and change, seeking the presence of God, maintaining a positive attitude throughout the day, working to build and establish a healthy community and to identify and face past emotional issues. Let’s do it together!!
