The World Race, I am so excited to be on it! I love getting to work with different people, and God has already taught me a lot. I know I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, but. . . it’s still real life, there are hard days and there are easy days. So, this is what real life on the race looks like:
Spiritual Growth – The race isn’t a non-stop “spiritual high”. Yes, you are in a community of believers working on something God has called them to do, so, in that respect at least, spiritual growth is easier than it can be at home, but it still takes work. Sometimes it’s still hard to set aside “quiet time” to just read my Bible and pray. There are still distractions.
My favorite place to have “quiet time” on the weekends – my hammock!
This month for example, my team leaves for ministry at 6:45 every morning. We eat breakfast at 6:20. This means if I want to get in my quiet time first thing in the morning, before ministry, I have to get up really early. That hasn’t happened at all. (I like the idea of getting up early, just not the actual getting up part) So, I’ve been fitting in my quiet time during my morning break at ministry. And you know what? That quiet time has been great! God has taught me a lot through this, both spiritually and practically. For example, I’ve learned how important that time with God is! At home I’m not the best at making sure I get that everyday. So far, the World Race has been a great place to turn that daily time into a priority and a habit.
One of my goals for this year is to grow a closer relationship with God. That requires work, just like it would at home, but it’s gonna happen!
Facing my insecurities – I can be a pretty shy person sometime. Well, maybe not exactly shy, but not sure if others need, or want, me around. I’m often afraid my presence is a burden to others. I’d hoped these feelings would just vanish on the race. They haven’t. I still have to push past them, and that’s hard. Thankfully, on the Race I am surrounded by people who want to help me with that, I just had to get up the courage to share the feelings I was struggling with.
Boldness – I thought I would find it easy to just go up to people and start a conversation about spiritual things, but I haven’t. It’s still hard. My insecurities still get in the way. So, I’m praying about and working on that. The good news is I have lots of opportunities to practice!
Health – Serving God does not mean magical protection from sickness. Ok, I knew this before the race. Still, I did not expect to get sick on the Race, but I have. Twice. (More if you count getting car sick. Long bus rides are not my thing!) Our first full day in Ecuador I was stuck in bed with a 24 hour stomach bug. That wasn’t fun. Last week I had a sore throat for 2 days, and I still went to ministry. I felt miserable getting up in front of the kids and teaching English with that sore throat. On the second day the teacher I work with sent me to the school nurse, and I’m so glad she did! (This was after I’d refused to go the first day, I can be stubborn) After looking at my throat and determining that I, thankfully, did not have strep, the nurse gave me some sort of medicine that fixed my sore throat!
Food – I’ve been hungry all the time on the race! You have no idea how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I’ve eaten! At home I almost never eat PB&J! I am so thankful for the homemade peanut butter our hosts made for us this month. It’s been amazing!
Tiredness – We work hard. We get tired. Just like at home.
Community Living – Building relationships takes work, even when you’re with other people 24/7 – but they’re worth it!
So, that’s life on the race. It’s real, there are still struggles, just like at home, but I’m still so happy to be here! I have incredible peace knowing that I am right where I belong, and God has led me here for a reason. Even though growth is not always easy, I am very excited for what God has, and will, teach me this year!
