“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -2nd Timothy 4:7
A month ago, I watched my squad that I have been leading for the last five months get on a plane to Ethiopia as I then proceeded to board a plane back to Indiana. It was a very bittersweet moment to watch my squad, my brothers and sisters, the people I had fought and loved so hard continue on with the mission of sharing God’s love, while I head home and begin the next season of my life.
(The last night before returning to America)
Not only was it bittersweet because I was saying goodbye to my squad, but outside of the two debriefs that I will attend over the next couple of months for L-squad, my time with the World Race has come to an end.
A little over two years ago, I heard the Lord’s sweet voice whisper to me that there was so much more than the mediocre life I was living if I was willing. In July 2012 I said yes to the Lord and embarked on a life transforming 11-month missions trip with the World Race. I then headed to G42 leadership academy in Spain for 6 months of intense discipleship and leadership training before heading back out for 5 months as a squad leader for the World Race.
As, my time comes to the end; I want to leave you with the 11 lessons that I have learned over the past two years on my time with the World Race and at G42. My God is so much bigger and more powerful then I could ever try and imagine. So it is obvious that he is always going to be teaching us new truths and concepts about himself and us. I could write pages on each one of these truths but to keep it short, I will only give a short little description of each one:
Lessons Learned From My World Race:
1. There is so much more to life (say yes to the relationship)
Two and half years ago, I was depressed, alone, and had hit rock bottom. I claimed to be a Christian but had no relationship with the Father. Then I heard the sweet voice of the Lord telling me to drop my life and follow him and embark on the World Race. I said yes to the Lord and gave him full control of my life and the places and people I have met over the past two years have shattered my wildest dreams of what my life would be. Say yes to the Lord and know that there is the potential for your life to be so much more! (John 10:27)
2. Joy is in the eye of the beholder
Over these past two years, I experienced so many people living with nothing. Walking through the slums around the world seeing full families living in houses smaller then my closet, with absolutely nothing. However, these amazing people taught me something. Every person I would see was so joyful. They had nothing yet they were joyful. They trusted the Lord and knew at the end of the day they didn’t need material things to be joyful, but to be content in all things. (Philippians 4:11-13)
3. Sons and Daughters
A vital truth I learned early on during my first World Race was our role as Sons and Daughters of the King. Quite often we view the Lord as the judge and ruling master who we need live our life trying to please. When in reality we are Sons and Daughters and co-heirs with Christ! We can boldly approach the Lord because he is our Father and loves us all so immensely. (Romans 8:15)
4. The Lord speaks!
As I stated earlier, growing up I wasn’t aware of having a personal relationship with the Father and I had no idea what Holy Spirit was other than the third part of the trinity. Over these past few years I have learned that the Lord still speaks to his children. We simply have to position ourselves to hear his voice and allow him the room to speak. Also learning that Holy Spirit is so much more then just part of the trinity. He is the senior partner in your life. If you allow, Holy Spirit will lead and direct your steps in greater ways than we can ever imagine! (John 14:26)
5. Define Normal
A big question society asks is how do you define normal? The world race taught me that the way most of us live in America, which we think, is “normal” is not actually normal. The race has something they call “world race culture.” This is the way they teach racers to interact with one another and how to walk out things in their own lives. They teach about how to give feedback to each other, whether that be positive or constructive, in order to call one another in greatness, and speak life over each other. They also teach you to dive into you issues and brokenness rather then bury your emotions. What we call “the world race culture” is actually what the culture in America should be like. This unique way of living life should actually be the norm. (Hebrews 10:24-25
(2nd Gen L-Squad)
Lessons Learned From G42:
6. Community is key
The World Race opened my eyes to what it looks like to live in an intense community. Being with people 24/7 all the time, everyday. While at times this can be hard, the benefit that comes from living and being surrounded by other amazing men and women of God is not only beneficial but also vital for our growths as believers. After the race my hunger for this type of community continued. G42 showed me a practical way community could be done in a real world setting. Nothing is more enjoyable than eating dinner with your “family” and just spending time around the dinner table enjoying each other’s company. That is where true life happens. (Acts 4:32)
7. Bring Kingdom to Earth/Christ in you/ trust the Lord he trusts you
The biggest lesson I learned from G42 that has changed the way I live my life and has given me a new outlook is the idea of Christ inside of you. We all have Holy Spirit in us as believers and carry the same authority that Jesus had while he was on this planet. We as believers need to change our mindset. We need to just not sit back and wait for heaven while we watch the world around us fall apart. We need to be the light on this Earth and bring the kingdom of heaven to earth everyday! You may be the only chance someone has at experiencing the Father’s love and the hope of a better life. Stop sitting back thinking selfishly for yourself and take the light in you, into other peoples darkness. (Colossians 1:27)
(G42 staff and interns)
Lessons Learned While Squad Leading On The World Race:
8. Shut up and let the Holy Spirit work
We can all help people. We all have wisdom, gifts, and abilities to give advice and help each other with issues. One of the big aspects of squad leading is meeting with individuals on the squad and seeing how they are doing and helping them in anyway possible. I learned really quick that I can give wisdom and advice that I have learned over my lifetime, however, it is more beneficial to shut up and let the Holy Spirit minister to someone. Sometimes the wisdom or advice you may have isn’t what that person needs to hear. Sometimes they just need you to listen to them. Don’t lead and minister from your own strength but let the Holy Spirit speak through you and rely on the Lord’s strength to sustain you. (John 14:26)
9. Over Prideful or Over Humble
As I grow and mature in my faith, a very natural thing that occurred was becoming too prideful. I became prideful in the respect and authority I had as a leader, as well as being prideful in watching so many people come to Christ because of our work. At other points I was too humble. I would remain silent and not let the Lord speak through me and use me because I was afraid of trying to take the glory from the Lord. A lot of times what would happen is the things that needed to be said would not be said and that actions that needed to be taken wouldn’t. Squad leading taught me the balance of being prideful in what the Lord is doing and my accomplishments but at the same time remaining humble and giving the Lord the credit. It’s an interesting paradox but being humbly prideful.
10. You Can Love So Much More Than You Think
We are drawn to certain individuals. Individuals who have the similar personalities, interests, or characteristics as you. Its easy for you to love and care for those people you are naturally drawn to. However, these past months have taught me how much more love you have. The Father loves everyone on this planet. Whether you are John Piper or the prostitute on the street at 3 am. God loves everyone and as we become more like Christ, we are able to receive the Father’s heart and love everyone we encounter. Even those who hurt us or are different than us. We are called to love everyone and share the Father’s love with everyone. It actually is something that is very easy to do. Simply ask the Father to see someone as He sees them. (Matthew 22:36-40)
11. Live With A Sense Of Urgency
This last concept is one that the World Race has taught me that I am going to use for the rest of my life. This is the concept of adapting a lifestyle of living with a sense of urgency. Living a no holding back, no regrets lifestyle. Too often in life we miss opportunities. We are scared of the unknown, of the hard work that it may take to reach success. We have become content with living an ok, mediocre life. Well its time to say goodbye to mediocrity and live with the sense of urgency and passion of embracing the full life the Lord has for us. Don’t sit back waiting around for things to happen. You aren’t happy with your life or something that is happening in the world around you. Get up off your butt and go do something about it. Live a life with a sense of urgency and stop missing out on the opportunities the Lord has for your life!
(3rd Gen. L-squad)
Those are only a few of the spiritual truths and revelations about who I am, who my God is, and how amazing life can be if you give the Lord your full life and say yes to where he leads you. I said yes two years ago and as this book ends, I anxiously await to see what awesome adventures and places the Lord takes me next.
I want to thank everyone on L-squad both 2nd and 3rd Generation as well as all of the awesome people from G42 for all of the great memories and for teaching me and loving me so much. I also want to thank my family and all of my supporters who read this blog. I wouldn’t be who I am without you guys. God Bless!
