Rwanda, China, Philippines. That's it. 3. Months. Left. What am I going to do with it?
It's easy to say that I'm going to make the most of it. It's easy to say that I'm going to press in hard till I land in the USA. It's easy to say that I'm going to stay present and focused on the task in front of me. It's easy to say – it's harder to do.
Or is it?
The entire race AIM and contacts have told us that most people start to check out of the race around this time, especially in month 11. Racers start feeling tired, dreaming of home, looking for a job, trying to figure out what they should be doing when they get home, and looking at the next step in life. Why do we do this? I think part is that that our culture has ingrained this into us, taught us that we need to have a 5, 10, 20 year plan.
How do we fight this? Good question, this is something that I will be learning along the way but I have heard a few good tips. Feeling tired? Why are you? From my experience we get tired or burned out in ministry when we try to carry a load that is not meant for us. Talk to your team about what is going on and have them help you, and tell God that you don't want to carry the load and he'll do it for you. Another reason for feeling tired is because we pour out so much that we don't always get poured back into or into the way that fills us up. Each person worships a certain way, connects with God a certain way, feels loved in a certain way. Feeling drained and tired? Are you being poured into in a way that will totally fill you up? Are you reaching God in your own unique way? For example, if you connect with God best in nature are you going outside and connecting with God? Does dancing before the Lord help you connect with Him? Then dance! Other forms of worship can only fill us so far and we need to be full. God is faithful and will fill us everyday if we allow. One of the best advice I received before the race was "Think ahead of time what your heart language of worship is so you set your heart up to not run dry." Remember back to training camp when we talked about how people best worship. Think to where you fit best. Play to that strength and God will not allow you to run dry.
What about looking forward to home? My teammate Andi wrote a great blog about that so you should read it because I don’t want to rehash something that has already been beautifully written. The Romance of Being Away.
What about looking for that next job or next adventure in life? Is it bad to look for a job so that you have one when you get back? I don't think so…unless it consumes your time. Unless it becomes your focus. Unless you check out of ministry. Let me say this now for all to hear (or see). It's OK if you don't know what to do when you get back. It's OK to land in the USA and have no clue what you're going to do for the next month or so. Since when have we known what we are doing ahead of time on the Race? If you do know what you're doing, Great!! Don't focus on it. Put it in the back of your mind and think about it when you get home. To family and friends back home I would challenge you to NOT ask us about what we are going to do when we get back. NOT asking us will help us stay focused. NOT asking us, tell us that you trust us and that you trust that God will show us what's next when the time is right. Thanks 🙂
The race is 11 months so make it 11 months. Well if you want to be technical the race is our entire lives, 11 months is just a season of it. There is a reason that you are in China. There is a reason that you are in Rwanda. There is a reason that you are riding that bus in the Philippines. There are still people that God has placed in your path to meet. People that still need to be loved. People that still need Jesus. Don’t miss them. Don't miss your chance. Most importantly don't miss theirs.
3 more months! It will fly by! It feels like we just arrived at Launch! I challenge you to make the most of time that's left. Challenge me as I challenge you and together we will finish well!
