Something that I have heard a lot in preparation for this trip is to throw out all your expectations. Get rid of them all and just show up and let God work.
And I understand why people say that. They are speaking more about what certain aspects of The World Race and ministry on the Race look like. So I understand why you would not want preconceived notions of how that should unfold.
But I don’t think that expectations are a hindrance. Not all of them. I know I have some expectations for this next chapter in my life. Some more serious and life-changing than others of course.
I expect that my life will change. I am not expecting a shift in perspective. I am expecting my perspective to radically rotate, flip and refocus.
I expect that my priorities will change to better reflect the priorities of Jesus.
I expect to be uncomfortable. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I also expect to grow in those situations of discomfort.
I expect to develop new appreciation for the luxuries that we have. Specifically hot water, beds, wifi, and air conditioning. Oh man I’m going to miss air conditioning.
I expect to find Star Wars in a theatre somewhere. Can you believe that God is calling me to the mission field the same year that the new Star Wars is coming out?! That’s ok, I will find it somewhere. Because that needs to happen.
I expect to grow deep relationships with my teammates. The kind of relationships that are challenging, encouraging, and focused on Jesus.
I expect to feel homesick. At least once. There are certain things that I will miss about home. But more than that are the people that I will miss. I already know it will be hard to say goodbye to some people for a year.
I expect to be annoyed by and to annoy someone on my team over the course of 11 months. I’d love to say this won’t happen but I know spending that much time with people in such a close proximity means that everything won’t be perfect all of the time. That’s just the way it goes.
I expect to eat some weird things on The Race. Some of you aren’t picturing weird enough. Think fried tarantula.
You’re welcome for that picture those of you who are arachnophobic. (Looking at you Jake Trease.)
I expect to experience Jesus in ways that I have not yet seen in my life. And I’m excited.
I expect to miss my technology. TV, wifi everywhere, Netflix. You know what I’m talking about.
I expect to get over missing technology. Pretty quickly. There are much greater things out there than the newest show on Netflix or the next viral trend on Twitter.
I expect to be tired on various occasions. Whether it’s a quick turnaround between late night ministry and early morning ministry or it’s a crazy travel schedule I expect that sleep will be at a premium.
I expect to get good at napping for short periods of time and in weird locations. Having never really been a napper, I expect this will take some getting used to for me but I also expect that it will be a valuable skill to have.
I expect to be pushed so far out of my comfort zone that I can’t even see my comfort zone. But again, I expect to grow from those experiences.
I expect to change my view of what an acceptable bathroom experience consists of. I’m not quite as excited about this one.
I expect that I will drink more questionable water over the course of 11 months than I have in the 23 years before that.
I expect that I will discover some new smells while traveling and that some of them will come from me or from my gear.
I expect that I won’t always feel like ministering or serving.
I expect that God will use those moments to teach me things about servanthood.
I expect that The World Race will not be an easy trip.
I expect that God will change me more than I could ever change myself.
But most of all I expect to have my expectations shattered.
