It was just one year ago.

The epic adventure of my life (to that point), which had taken me to 11 countries in 11 months with 27 crazies had ended.  With one last night of worship and celebration, we closed up what had become life and family for the last year.  And we started the trek back to what was once familiar soil to begin an even greater challenge of incorporating all we had learned outside the camp back inside the place we were being called to.

 

I am pretty sure that a year ago today, my mind was completely focused on that bed that would await me after 55 hours of travel, and that hot shower that I would stand under for close to an hour.  I couldn’t wait to hug my parents and see friends after a year away.  But really, more than anything, I was so excited to bring everything I had learned from the year back into life in America.  Honestly, I was ready to change the world…and quickly.

 

Needless to say, I learned a lot this past year.  The year didn’t look much like I expected, although they never really do.  Living in close covenantal community with people from my race was essential for me.  Through all the ups and downs, trying to figure out how to do was we had learned, it was living beside people who knew and got me that made all the difference.

 

I learned some big things this past year.  I learned that God rarely moves quickly with things, but He always moves suddenly.  And that while my generation (myself definitely included) struggles to commit for the long haul, God always blesses those who put their hand to what He asks and commits.  I have learned that it is all about relationships and that at the end of the day, it is not about what I do as much as who I choose to do it with.  That living under the authority of spiritual parents gives covering and authority in my own life.  And that the most important place to find myself is in the midst of what God is doing instead of trying to do my own thing and asking Him to join in. 

 

And really….I learned once again that it is all worth it.  That He is worth it.  And that no matter the cost or loss, I am doing this thing.  I still have no interest in a nice, quiet life, but one that is relentlessly pursuing His Kingdom come to this earth.  I understand more today that a year ago that this thing will cost a lot, but it all pales in comparison to His glory that awaits. 

 

As I write this today, I find myself at the edge of the Israeli desert just days away from completing my second go-around of this World Race adventure.  In just a week, I will once again board a plane bound for the states.  This time, however, I won’t be sitting next to all my people to charge back on American soil as a large cloud of passion.  Instead, I will travel alone, leaving this squad, that I am so blessed to call my people, here in the Holy Land to continue this journey for the next seven months without me.

 

I am once again in that familiar place of transition.  The seasons are changing.  And just like a year ago, I am saying goodbye to family, heading back to the states, and eagerly wanting to move forward into more of what He is doing.