Not exactly contrary to my last blog, but I’m not the same person I was a year ago.
Just as a freshman doesn’t enter college and return home the following summer not any brighter if they passed all their courses. One is bound to come out different due to circumstances, environment, experiences, and instruction.
Many people on The World Race fear that they haven’t changed. Whether it’s 4 months or 9 months or 11 months in. But the fact is, we all have changed.
Through the lovely institution of community living these past 11-months, my team who knows me better than anyone else, has been encouraging to point out what ways I’ve personally changed over the months, even when I feel like I haven’t. If nothing else, I can say for myself that I’ve matured in my ability to communicate honestly and effectively with people (thanks teamtime/feedback). But also:
I’ve changed less in how I view the world and more in how I view America.
I’ve changed greatly in how I view God and His children, my Brothers and Sisters.
I’ve changed in my thinking toward others.
I’ve changed in how I view money and possessions.
I’ve changed in my definition of the word “ministry” and “missions”.
I’ve changed in my relationship with the Lord.
I’ve changed in my desires for the future.
I’ve changed my thoughts on what “worship” is.
I’ve learned what it is to serve and prefer others.
Ah, the list could go on.
Even throughout this whole journey my mind would sometimes slip to the thought, “Was I really suppose to do The World Race? Is this really what God had for me or did I mistake His direction?” What a STUPID question! The way He provided for me through preparation and fundraising, there’s no way this whole thing was just a big misunderstanding or that this wasn’t what he wanted for me. He practically cleared the road of all blockages and lead me straight down the road that lead to the uttermost parts of the earth. This was not a mistake.
I can’t imagine my life now without this experience. The ways I’ve been impacted. The lives that have been impacted because of me. The things I fear I may have never learned without crossing those borders. The World Race has forever changed me.
So hand me a cup of coffee, let’s sit down and chat, and hopefully you’ll see I’m not the person I used to be.
