I have walked through the fire and come out the other side just to turn around and with a smile ask Jesus if I can go again. When I am in the fire, it’s not fun. In fact, it’s so hard that I break, but the fruit is so worth it. I actual need Him to continue to remind me that I asked for it.
At the beginning of this race I was actually trying to pray away the trials and tribulations that my team was walking through individually and together. I would now label this as an injustice to them and a misuse of my authority in prayer. God loves us more than we can even imagine and yet our comfort is not His main concern. I have been asking the Lord to teach me how to become a good husband and father. This has actually become one of my biggest prayers and a huge emphasis on my life. I want to be the man that He sees me as for my future family. He has shown me so much by the way that He fathers. My story is a good example. I was on the wrong path for years. My initial reaction to this would be to want to force change, but the Lord did it differently. He walked alongside me through all of my wanderings. He loved me where I was at and essentially guided me back to Him through love. I have no doubt in my mind that there were a couple of times that He stepped in to keep me safe.
As I walk along this journey that He has me on, I meet fear head on. There is so much opportunity to be fearful in life. Fear serves only one purpose; to keep us from what God has for us. It is from hell and one of the devils favorite agents. It is a lie and an illusion. Yes, we are supposed to use wisdom and heed His voice, but when we let fear control our actions, it’s time to recheck our hearts and trust in the One who created us. I am called to bring light to the darkness and that could be translated as dangerous situations. The safest place for me to be is in obedience to the Father. On the Race I have been in dangerous countries were poverty has brought lawlessness of sorts. I write this from a “closed” country still dripping with fear. I saw a murderer in Honduras receive forgiveness and ask the Lord into his heart. Some would say that I was an idiot for just talking to him. The devil wants to use fear to keep us from the "really bad" places, because he knows that revival is crying out for God to wash down upon these places. Tragedy either hardens peoples hearts or inspires necessity for the Holy One to rush in and rescue us. I prefer the latter and that one happens when people are obedient and do what the Lord asks. Trusting that He is enough to protect us and or guide us through the turmoil. Trusting that He wants the best for us, has a plan, and wants to bless us.
We head to Africa in a little under two months and I am stoked. I feel like Africa will be the culmination of my trip. That He has been preparing me for it all along. I used to be crippled with fear. Now, I walk in the understanding that He has me where He wants me and there is no place I would rather be. Destiny is something that the Lord has been speaking to me lately and I was squandering mine until recently. Some would say that Africa is the most dangerous we will see. It’s interesting because I know some people that have been in Africa for over two months now(shout out to A-Squad) and all I am hearing about is the awesome things that God's doing. The kingdom pouring out like a rushing river and salvation and healing filling the streets. I guess you could look at it either way, but I choose to look at a “dangerous” situation as an opportunity to see Jesus do what He does best.
I can honestly say that except for a certain chicken bus ride in Guatemala 😉 I have felt safe everywhere that we have gone. We have a huge covering of prayer that is powerful beyond words. He sent us, provides for us and will protect us! I know this to be true!
