I often spend my nights in bed, watching videos from missionaries in other countries, wishing. Wishing it was my time already. Reminiscing about months spent in the field, loving on people in different nations. Thinking about my current season, ready to move on. But God, as He does so often, has such a beautiful way of focusing my eyes on what is important. This phrase came to me today as I sat in silence.
Discovery of Identity is often not found in seeking new land, but in seeing with new eyes.
This thought is something that has been weighing on me. The anticipation of the next big journey in my life. A journey that I know will propel me deeper into my calling, and show me how to really love like Jesus and be loved. Waiting for the Race to change me, as my past encounters with AIM has. Placing a burden on the Race that it can’t fulfill. I went from never wanting anything to do with the World Race, to not being able to get it off my mind.
However, the Race will come and go. It will undoubtedly be a beautiful season of growth and stretching. But it is not the “Race” that will change me, it is what my Father teaches and shows me that will change me. And I believe I don’t have to be in another country to experience His presence in a beautiful way. I believe new life is already sprouting around me as I prepare for the next chapter. New passions. New gifts. A stronger ability to love and show grace.
And I know I am not alone. So as my squad-mates and I wait, it is my prayer for us all that we will keep our hearts where ever our feet may be, for now. That we will begin to seek Him now as desperately as we expect to on the Race. And that we won’t miss the beauty that is around us each day by looking ahead. That I won’t miss an oppurtunity here to love someone well, to extend grace. Our time will come for a beautiful Race. One that we won’t forget. One I eagerly wait for. But for now, let’s enjoy just being with our Jesus where we are. He is worth it after all.
Don’t let the future steal the beauty in front of you today. Savor the taste of fellowship with friends and family. Hold that hug with a stranger just a little longer. Put yourself out there, love isn’t love if it nicely calculates the cost. Soak it in.
May Love and Grace Abound.
