The World Race was never meant to be easy for a reason. It’s in those most challenging of times in life where we grow the most and find out what we’re truely made of. It’s in these moments that we realize we can do anything if we put our mind to it and commit to God with all we got. I wasn’t expecting the Race to be this challenging because for so long I was doing something (my career) I not only enjoyed and was passionate about, but was good at and found success in. Perhaps I was hiding behind something I was talented in because I wanted consistency and security.
If I look back, I’ve grown so much over these past four months on the Race. The pain is real. Both personally and where I’m currently at in Laos where the people here are spiritually blind living in a communist country. But something needs to be said about how much we grow in situations that are uncomfortable, painful, and out of our comfort zone. If it doesn’t break you it’ll just make you stronger.
I grew up in the Lutheran church and then attended a non-denominational church about seven years ago when I started my relationship with God. I learned about the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Part of the reason I’m very Biblicly focused is because my church, Calvary Chapel, has an emphasis on teaching the Word of God, Genesis thru Revelation. I’m at a point now on the Race where the gifts of the Spirit are used quite freqquently in ways I’ve never seen before and will question the legitamacy of what occurs. This has led me to exercise my own discernment while seeking the truth but also with the understanding we all serve and love the same God.
I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be on the Race. We grow the most during the most challenging times in life and there’s no doubt this is one of them. I choose to press into the pain because what’s on the other side is so bright. I’m being refined as silver is refined (Psalm 66:10) and my Savior is right here with me and won’t ever leave my side. There’s something so special about embracing the unknown. It can be uncomfortable but very worth it in the end, because the Good Shepherd will never leave His sheep and always takes good care of us.
