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Happy New Year!
As I was watching the ball drop in Time Square, it hit me…the best year of my life was over. Where did the time go??? Exactly one year before I had my going away party. I was getting ready to leave for the greatest adventure that I would ever partake in. A year filled with the power of the Trinity, intense community, serving, and the greatest treasure hunt a person could ever go on-the path which would take you into your identity in Christ Jesus. I am not the same person I was when I left for the Race and as I was sitting in a living room, surrounded by friends and family that early January morning, I discovered that I was not even the same person as I was when I left the Race. I have been in a constant state of change ever since I have been back in the States. I know this analogy is completely overplayed, but I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions since my return home.
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” -Nelson Mandela
I have read quite a few blogs from World Race alumni and how they were or are adjusting to being home; but the thing is, I have found myself not wanting to adjust to anything. I realize now that I have been in denial about being home-not that I do not like being here, I do, but the moment I stepped foot onto American soil I knew in my spirit that I would not stay long. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Well, my season was not up yet; God WANTS me to be a light somewhere else in order to prepare me for the time HE has me reside in the U.S. for a long period of time.
So, not only did I find myself at a crossroads in what my next step would be, but I literally could not even begin to process this past year. How do I process something that has drastically changed everything in me and what I have come to know as truth??? How do I process the faces I have come to love or the places I have been too??? How do I come to terms with what I have seen, heard, learned, taught, missed, or even experienced??? I can honestly tell you…I don’ know. I don’t. I know it will eventually come-the time in which the Lord has me process all of the above. However, I know that right now Jesus is whispering to me on the mountain top…it is MY job to be still, remain and listen.
So, basically, I have been ignoring writing this blog since November 20th, but here it goes…are you ready???
The Race is officially over. It’s over. It’s crazy to think, but it is over.
Yes, it has been the BEST year of my life so far; however, greater things are yet to come. The Lord is NOT through with me yet-in fact, my race (known as life) is not even close to the finish line. Resting firmly on HIS promises helps me to relax and focus my eyes on HIM instead of everything else around me. The Lord keeps taking me to Matthew 6-The passage entitled: Do Not Worry.
“Don’t worry, Alisa. Just be still. Worry, not. Know that I am with you.”
Well, there you have it. Now you might ask, “Where do you think the Lord is calling you to next?” WELL, The Lord has revealed that I will be leaving to Nicaragua for a duration of 4 months; leading a group of 8 young women on a journey of Kingdom Living. I leave January 13, 2011-almost a year to the day I left for the World Race.
So I KNEW God had something for me in January, but this whole thing came as a complete surprise! It is good, though; I have grown accustomed to the value of being uncomfortable. I am excited about the new chapter the Lord is writing and humbled that HE has chosen me, yet again, to do HIS work.
“I am a pencil in the hands of a loving God, who is writing a love letter to the world.”
-Mother Teresa
Can I just say…THANK YOU! Thank you for going on this incredible journey with me! Thank you for taking time out to read my blogs, for generously donating time and money, and for every single prayer that you lifted up. Thank you for being obedient to the call of the Lord; HE will bless you for the blessing you have been to others all around the world! I pray that you will continue to come back to read what Jesus will do in Nicaragua and in the lives that will be touched by HIS presence. Who knows, maybe the Lord will have me process the race while I am there-only time will tell. Heck, there is a possibility I am “processing” right now without me even knowing. We have a BIG God, so I cannot begin to comprehend what HE has in store! All I know is that I am ready…ready to see what is next on the menu.
Done and done. Chapter closed.
