On the second morning of training camp I woke up well before the sun did. With my headlamp strapped across my forehead I looked around my tent at the belongings I needed to pack quickly for a morning hike with my 57 other squadmates.
I was tired. My back ached. And I really wanted coffee.
As I was deflating my air mattress in the chilly morning dark, I thought to myself, “Wow. I guess this is what following Jesus looks like.”
When I signed up for the World Race, I knew that following God’s call would mean praying over the sick, preaching in foreign countries, and loving kiddos in children’s ministry. It wasn’t until training camp that it truly sunk in that following Jesus on the Race meant leaving behind small desires, like sleeping an extra hour and having the comfort of a slow morning.
The night before this hike, our training camp speaker read aloud the story of the disciples throwing down their nets and following Jesus right when He asked. The speaker noted that the disciples didn’t drag along their nets or their boats (their only sources of income and stability) throughout their walk with Jesus. They left everything behind. It was hard. It made them uncomfortable.
This year I will try to mimic this faith and find joy in the discomfort. I can’t drag my boat and net behind if I truly want to run this Race. I can’t drag a need for wifi, my wardrobe, episodes on Netflix, my independence, or my quiet morning routine if I want to run wholeheartedly.
Some days leaving behind my boat and net might mean waking up before the sun with a headlamp strapped on and dirty clothes being my only choice of outfit, but leaving my net behind means I can walk with Jesus with a lighter load and faster step.
