I can already see that these next 11 months are going to be full of growth, realizations, heartbreak, confusion, and unbearable joy. Many people view the World Race as a vacation where I travel around and have the time of my life. When I first heard about the race (I was 17), that’s what I thought too! It’s definitely true that I will have many fun moments, but I want to be completely honest with my supporters. I am a broken human being, who sins just as much, if not more, as you. I hate mornings, have a slight coffee addiction, forget to pray before a meal sometimes and miss my quiet time with the Lord way more than I should. I have major insecurities that stem back from childhood and I tend hold grudges on people who I thought I forgave. This is me, and you know what all of this means?!
Room for growth!! Room for redemption! So, I just wanted to start out and let y’all know that this post is about something God revealed to me.
I was walking into the bathroom at the Atlanta Airport and an adorable little girl with brown hair came out. I thought to myself, “I wonder if she knows if God loves her”. Super random thought, I know haha. Now, if I was being bold, I would tell her this truth because I believe that a random thought like that could be from the Lord. Plus, she needs to know it anyway! I’m working daily on boldness. Well, I wasn’t able to speak to her, but God spoke to me instead.
I was so fixed on wanting to make sure that this young girl knew how much the Lord loved her, and that He created her in His image. I yearned for her to start knowing young that she is so loved.
God said, “Well, do you know that I love you just as much?”. Yeah , yeah…I had heard it 1,000 times that God loves me. I stopped, and actually thought about this… processed it… I believed he loved me, but I was not resting in his love alone. I was seeking love from the world around me. I would seek affirmation from my squad mates, and instantly be disappointed if I felt like I was being left out. In reality, these little social cues were nothing at all, but that is just one downside of relying on love from the world. Disappointment.
I shared this with my squad mate, Sherry, and I absolutely loved her feedback. P.S. Thanks for letting me steal this and attempt to get your words right. She talked about how she was worried about this same issue but soon heard from God that He is her best friend, He loves her, and that He can give her more than anyone in the world can. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my squad mates who are so passionate about our Lord. This is not a blog to bash anyone, but a post to bring myself out of living in the flesh and back into walking closer with the Lord.
Our love comes from our Father, our closest friend. He knows and loves us more than anyone else, but it requires you to open your arms to receive his love. During this first month of ministry in Lesotho, Africa, I am going to Focus on love… embracing God’s love, loving myself, and loving others around me.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Prayers please!
- Prayers for my team, and two other teams of 7 who will be working with Harvesters Christian Church in Lesotho.
- Prayers for the people who we will come in contact with
- Prayers for all spiritual warfare to be beaten in the name of Jesus Christ!
- Prayers for leadership… first of all Thank you God for my squad leaders, mentor, coaches and other amazing people who keep me physically, mentally and spiritually sane haha. Please pray that God leads their teaching and keep them safe as they travel to month 1 debrief at the end of the month.
- Prayers for me to continue resting in God’s love
