It was our hottest day in Serbia yet. We had just biked 2 miles into town, and sat out in the humidity as we ate our hot chicken sandwiches. We chose the hottest part of the day to do our first prayer walk through the town of Mrcajevci. I was tired, to say the least.
I had only done a prayer walk once before, in Montreal, Canada, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We split up in to groups of three – Austin, Haley and I walked while Nathan, Jack, and Molly took their bikes down the main road. It was so interesting to go beyond our normal route and see other parts of town and where people live.
At one point, we came upon what looked like a courtyard to a church. I felt God calling me to go exploring, but wasn’t sure if I should act on it since I had two teammates by my side. “What is that? A church?” Austin asked. Haley responded, “I think so. We should go in there!” I looked up with thankfulness for the immediate clarity. God gives us confirmation in such awesome ways. I love it.
There was a beautiful, freshly mowed lawn that lead to an old church. A cracked cement sidewalk lined with vibrantly colored flowers lead to a building to the side. In front of the church’s entrance was a bell tower constructed of dark wood; the afternoon sun flooded through the wooden beams as the leaves on the trees danced in the breeze.
We snapped a few pictures before deciding to climb the tower. Looking over town, we talked about how we wish we knew more about this place. That we wish we could read the inscriptions on the bells, or even just know if this church is still in use. We sat down, and Haley mentioned that we don’t necessarily always have to be listening for God, and that it can be just as important and fulfilling to sit in silence with Him, but that it’s tough. I let out a breath when she said those last three words. Because it is tough, and before those words left her lips, I felt alone thinking that. The enemy likes to make us think we’re alone, even with small things like that.
Knowing the Race is supposed to challenge us, I suggested that we sit in silence for two minutes. A small task, but one I knew would grow us still. I looked around, closed my eyes, and concentrated HARD on being present. It was cool and equally challenging to just be present in that moment. I thought about how differently that moment would look to our friends back home if we were to post “just climbed a bell tower in Serbia!” to social media. “It would most likely be perceived as a lot more glamorous or adventurous,” I shared with my two teammates after our two minutes of silence had ended, “when in reality, this is simply a moment God has chosen to share with us.”
God was showing me how a new perspective can change everything. We had quite literally changed our perspective by climbing to a new height to see the town in a new way. Earlier, I casually tossed this aside as not being glamorous, but a simple moment.
After more reflection throughout the day, I don’t think that’s right at all.
I think God does choose to share those moments with us, but He WANTS us to see them as glamorous. He wants us to take adventures with Him. To do a double take and climb the bell tower with Him. Try a new language, go to a new place. Step out of your comfort zone and trust that He’s got you. He wants you to enjoy these moments with Him and marvel in what He’s sharing with you. Don’t just toss it off as something casual.
How beautiful is that?
He WANTS me. He LOVES me. So much that he guided me to an old bell tower in the middle of Serbia and took my hand as I climbed those unfamiliar steps.
If that is all He wanted to show me on the Race, I could be fulfilled and forever thankful. Because it was a wonderful two minutes. Sitting in silence is something I definitely want to do more often. Not to get away, but to be fully present in what He’s showing me.
I know that isn’t all He has for me in these next 11 months, and I am so humbled by that thought. I can’t even begin to comprehend 11 months full of bell tower moments. So for now, I’ll choose to live in the now, marvel at what’s right in front of me, and be thankful that it’s not the end.
All my love,
Aubrey
