This is something that as weighed on my heart recently, and so I thought I would shout it to the world.
THE RACE IS NOT GLAMOROUS
I know the World Race Instagram and Facebook and website make it seem so desirable and the thing dreams are made of. Now, don’t get me wrong, I know God has called me here, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. And the overall message, point and mission of the Race is so rewarding and fulfilling.
But, the social media is lying to us. It is not constant mountains and beautiful scenery and sunsets. It is not cuddling up to smiling orphans, it is not always picture perfect and amazingly profound. So often we see other people’s pictures and hear other people’s stories and read the captions, and we wonder why our Race isn’t like that? Do I have less of a ministry and am I less of a person, or is my team less because I didn’t get re-gramed by the official World Race Instagram account? And then these thoughts start to marinate in our noggins, and soon we get a negative attitude about our life and our ministry. Then we bring that into ministry. And our whole sailboat starts to sink.
But in reality, the Race is the same for us all.
The real Race is not showering in 5 days,
The real Race is not washing your clothes in over 2 weeks (when you only have 1 weeks-worth),
The real Race is sweaty because there is no A/C with 90 degree heat and 100% humidity.
The real Race is being constantly dirty, because there is dirt everywhere.
The real Race is taking a photograph in artificial lighting because the natural lighting is constantly clouded over.
The real Race is being annoyed with your team because they smell and they everyone has a bad attitude.
The real Race is struggling to communicate with people because you don’t speak their language, and there is no translator.
We all struggle with the same things on the Race. But, we all rejoice in the same way as well.
The real Race is seeing the joy on a child’s face when you come into view.
The real Race is seeing how pleased someone is when you do something for them.
The real Race is building relationships with the people you serve and are constantly surrounded by.
The real Race is saying something in the native tongue and everyone rejoices!
The real Race is sharing a testimony and seeing people come to the Lord.
The real Race is being unexpectedly blessed by your teammates.
The real Race is growing in community with your team and squad mates as you all grow closer to God, and struggle through the hard times.
The real Race is not backing down when the going gets tough.
It is not an easy life. No one came solely because they want to live a social media Race. That’s not possible. We came because we were called to serve. And sometimes serving looks dirty and disgusting. But, that’s not a bad thing. That is something we all have to remind ourselves every time those thoughts try to invade our minds.
The Race is also what you make it. You can either choose to be Mr. Grumpy-gills or you can choose joy and know that God has an amazing plan for your Race, whether it’s re-gramed or not.
I choose JOY.
