So this is it.
As I write to you I am sitting in a hotel room in Washington DC. World Racers have invaded this place as all 180 of us prepare to launch into the destiny God has for us. Over the next two days we have committed to taking a screen-fast. Basically, we are giving up use of our phones, laptops, iPods and Kindles in order to take a deep breath and focus before plunging head-first into the spiritual battlefield that awaits us. As is the pattern with Adventures in Missions, we have no idea how many days we will be here, but it is rumored that we will be leaving on Thursday or Friday. It blows my mind to think that in just a few short days I will be in India, the country that has so captured my heart for so many years now. So before the fast begins, I wanted to update you a bit about what God is doing in my heart and in order to do that, I have to make a bit of a confession: there's something I've neglected to tell you for a while now.
At training camp last month I was invited to lead a team of 5 amazing racers during this journey. Crazy, right? Me? A team-leader? Oh-kay. And these aren't just any racers; these happen to be 5 of the most God-inspiring, passionate and encouraging people I have ever met. I feel like every single one of them is more capable of leading this team than me. In fact, that's one of the very reasons I did not tell you. This will be the group I travel alongside, serve together with in ministry and just all around do life with for the next year. I already love them dearly. Despite this, I feel entirely unprepared to lead them.
But can I tell you a secret that I've been learning? If you're doing it right, you never feel prepared, because it's not about having it all together. In fact, it's not about you at all. It's exactly the opposite. So this feeling, this crazy don't-know-what's-going-on feeling? I've decided to embrace it. I've decided to accept the fact that this is the kind of dance you just learn as you go along.
Something cool, though? Papa is so burying me in encouragement and support. Let me show you.
This is a copy of a prayer I wrote while on the plane over here:
Papa, we did it! Well, You did most all of it.
Either way, I said 'yes' and you were radically faithful and here I am sitting on this plane. I felt like this day would never come. The amount of preparation You have been doing in my heart and my life is monumental. I can't wait to see what it was You had in mind as You were molding me. Please, please, please don't stop! Keep moving my heart toward yours. The prayer Megan prayed over me yesterday keeps repeating in my head. Scoop me up onto Your lap. Pull me close so I can hear your heartbeat. I love You, Papa Bear. Bring on the adventure.
And then today, I received this beautiful text:
"I pray that any anxiety you have ceases, that you listen to God's heartbeat as if it were a drum, music to keep you at peace, that he guides your steps and that whatever you might need is provided. Hope this brings you comfort if you needed it. Be brave."
-Dana
Is that cool or what? All week people have unknowingly been praying the same prayers over me, theat Papa would scoop me up into His arms and that I would be close I could hear His heartbeat. This last week has been all about goodbyes, but I realize now it is time to embrace the hellos.
So hello, World race family.
Hello, culture shock.
Hello, looking crazy to the world in my pursuit of the Father.
But most of all, hello adventure.
Hello, Holy Spirit.
Hello, obedience.
"God knew before He created the world that you would be here in this moment. This is your destiny. Thank you for showing up for your life."
– Training camp words of wisdom-
