“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh
When Winnie the Pooh speaks my language, it must be the sign of an emotional week. I am sitting in the airport, waiting 10 hours for our first 11 hour flight to India and reflecting on the past few months. It has been a whirlwind leading up to this day. I had a WONDERFUL last few months at home celebrating with people I love. I had three weddings for dear friends, a family reunion, my best friend had her first baby, I spent time on Lake Michigan, and was able to be with my brother when he got married last week. People have poured into me, encouraged me, and loved me so well over the last few weeks.
(Whitney got married!)
(Erin got married!)
(My brother Jordan got married!)
I left on Sunday morning for Atlanta, Georgia for a few days. I have reunited with my squad and we have enjoyed spending time learning and worshiping together. A few days into launch training, our squad mentor, Ashley, spoke some awesome words over us that resonated deeply with me. She wanted us to remember what we were here for…the real point of this whole thing. This is so much bigger than me and my team. Sure, we are the ones heading out, but God is the one working. The identity that we find in Christ needs to translate into something. We don’t get to keep it to ourselves. The Lord has been showing me that I have been acting selfishly by keeping what He has given me to myself. I have a joy knowing Christ that needs to be shared. I know a love that is deeper than I can even comprehend that I need to share. I have spiritual gifts that the Lord has stewarded to me that I need to share. We get to share the best news to people all over the world. How freaking cool is that?! We are being used to bring the Kingdom to Earth.
(Sweet, but sad goodbyes at the airport)
Goodbyes are hard. Change is hard. Saying “see you later” to my friends and family over the past few weeks was so hard. There is a fear of leaving a community of people that know you and love you. There is a fear of missing out on the big things that happen in the lives of loved ones while you’re away. There is a fear of things “never being the same” when you return home.
I guess the cool and scary thing is – it’s a guarantee that things won’t be the same. Leaving brings change, and change brings growth. The Lord keeps reminding me that He is not concerned with my comfort. He is concerned with my heart. This is a life or death mission that He is letting me be a part of. This is why the goodbyes and sacrifices are worth it. I think I got so wrapped up in the waiting and the to-do’s that I didn’t let myself get excited for the gift I have been given. God chose ME to go. I may not feel qualified or prepared, but the Lord is bigger than my skills and circumstances and will use me to glorify Him. How cool is that?!
Here’s the thing. You have the opportunity to do the same thing. Right where you are. For my team, it starts with the Atlanta airport. We need to be taking every opportunity to show God’s love and to bring Kingdom to Earth. To my friends, family, supporters, people I am leaving behind – I invite you to do the same. Don’t hide the gifts God has given you. Don’t sit back with what you know and what you have, go out and USE it. When the Race is over, I want the world to be different because we have all stepped out in obedience to what the Lord has for us.
This is the real deal. It’s go time. The waiting and preparation are over. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” It is so crazy that, in 3 flights and 1 bus ride, I will be arriving at a ministry in India and living a dream that I have had for years.
I will be off of social media for the next 6 weeks in order to fully focus on my team and the ministry we are a part of in India and Nepal. If you would like to contact me, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I am so blessed by all of you!
(This is what World Racers look like on travel days. Photo Cred: Tyler Oldham – He is my sweet, talented teammate – go check out his blog!)
Please pray for safe travels for our team over the next few days as we head to Istanbul tonight, and eventually to India!
