It's no small secret I'm directionally challenged. I learned this week that Nepal is actually part of Asia, not Europe. So the fact that I drove many, many miles on 68 South instead of 68 North on my way home to Knoxville shouldn't surprise anyone. One might even describe the mood this detour caused, less than stellar, but instead God used it to bless my soul.
I described the past 6 days to my World Race coach as a birthing process. It took hard work, sweat and tears to conclude I'm fiercely protective of the freedom I discovered in Jesus. I flat out told this same coach I wasn't interested in being continually broken over the next 11 months. (As I write this, I cringe yet smile) I'd decided since my life fell apart last spring and Jesus sewed me back together I would waltz into the Race and be just dandy.
I was confident I was done being broken.
My view of brokenness was skewed. Brokenness shouldn't be dreaded. Perhaps we ought to embrace it. It's a process, a journey. And it's beautiful. He's faithful to pour His liquid love into infections and begin restoration.
God gave me a wake up call.
He's aware I get ahead of myself. As stuff is continually uncovered, I'll heal. As I heal, it'll make me grow. And as I grow, serving my King will be beautiful in His eyes.
My Spirit is alive and well. I got knocked to my knees but my eyes shot upwards. When I thought I would pass out from sobbing, my soul felt His peace transcend the core of my being. And as my past ravaged my mind, my heart found peace in the redemption of His agape love.
Next year will probably be intense. I wont sugar coat it. But I think it's time to rise up and fight back. It's time to start recognizing the faces staring back at us when we look in the mirror.
It's time to put on that armor and stand.
The Race will take us into nations that could devastate our worlds and maybe even shred our hearts- But let's embrace the brokenness. Let's step into the greatness He's calling us to. Let's walk in the identity of being His Sons, His Daughters. We're called to live our lives ferociously.
So let's start now.
