Starting points… what do those really even mean?
We all have had numerous starting points throughout our lives… actual starting lines in sports, the beginning days of new schools / school years, first introductions to new friends, the first day of a new job…
but in the last 15 months, i’ve had starting points like I could have never imagined. New… firsts… beginnings…
It all began at training camp… Gainesville, GA… 15 months ago!
The start of the whole World Race Adventure!
For me, this camp meant the first of many vulnerable moments with those around me; the first time EVER spending the night in a tent; the beginning step to giving up everything I knew for 11 months of the unknown; the first insights to these cultures I’d be experiencing soon; the beginning of a new group of people that would become my new family.
Then… 3 months later… Launch happened.
12 months ago.
Launch – the actual starting point of this crazy, 11 month experience; the first real “I miss you… I’ll miss this” tears; the first plane ride with my new family; the first time I ever really prayed with my parents; the first time traveling, starting a new adventure, has ever truly terrified me.
and now?
Project Searchlight – the first reunion with my World Race family;
the first incredible worship session I’ve experienced since our rooftop worship in Argentina;
the first time I’ve felt completely at rest, pace, free since being home;
the beginning steps, through sessions / seminars with leaders, to really understanding how to take what I learned, who I became on the race… and continue being that girl here in the States;
the beginning of a new endurance;
the understanding that even though we have changed a lot these last 11 months… we are still going to mess up;
the rejuvenation of my tired soul.
The starting point to month 13 (and so on)…
Just because my “11 in 11” ended, my “missionary”, living for Jesus, status didn’t completely stop.
Jesus calls us to be disciples that make disciples. He doesn’t give us a time limit for this “thing”… it’s for life!
Project Searchlight, this 5 day, worship packed, full-of-learning “camp” (or… party with my friends and Jesus) has reminded me that I stand, once again, at another starting point in my life.
The Race may have ended… The finish line has been crossed!
So, what now?
Now, I, the new me, the BOLD, passionate, grace-full, truth-bearing, patient, imperfect, loving Anna Lauren is at another starting point.
The start of continued intimacy with the Lord.
The start of finding new ways to show Christ’s love to those around me in my OWN town.
The start of building a new, Christ-centered community that can walk with me on this journey.
The start of new and better growth and changes in my life… and hopefully the live s of those God places around me.
The start of a new Race… for, as it is written, Let us RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us! {Hebrews 12:1}
Where is this new Race leading me? I can’t say for sure what exactly stands in front of me… but I can promise it’ll be fun.
It’ll be challenging.
It’ll be humorous.
It’ll be devastating.
It’ll see new mistakes.
It’ll allow for more grace and forgiveness.
It’ll be twirls of excitement and joy.
It’ll be shouts of frustration and anger.
BUT most of all…
It’ll be good.
It’ll be GREAT.
It’ll be worth it.
Why? Because HE is worth it.
Almost all starting points have an end… schools, jobs, friends, relationships, sports, events, trips, vacations…
But, do you know what never ends? What NEVER needs a new starting point? What never needs to begin again?
The love, grace, and forgiveness our heavenly father offers us. It’s the SAME yesterday, today, tomorrow, & forever because of Christ’s incredible, selfless sacrifice.
So, with my faith in that, in Him and Him alone, I invite you… to my new Race…
… starting now.
—————————————————————————-
Side note: at Project Searchlight, I went to a seminar with Bill Swan about managing yourself and turing your aspirations into reality. First of all, INCREDIBLY brilliant man and teacher (thanks, Bill!)… second, he challenged us to create a vision statement for our lives (for 2017). SO, I am putting it here – the vision statement created from my values, my aspirations – so that YOU all can help me stay true to the vision I have set for my life this new year. Call me on it; challenge me; help me stay focused now that I am off the field and distracted by what we call “real life”.
My Vision Statement:
To live a life defined by my relationship with the Lord, investing in others and in myself, in an organized but thoughtfully spontaneous fashion by setting priorities, having accountability partners, asking deeper and harder questions, and not being afraid to say no to some things or take the first step in others.
