As the race is coming to an end, I’ve been taking the time to go back and try to remember all that’s happened in these months. The moments that were special. The people that mattered. The things I learned. For my LAST blog of the race (geez that’s crazy to say thanks to everyone who’s read these thoughts of mine) I just wanted to share a few of these big things that I look back on. The things I think I’ll consider life changing when I’m remembering the race later in life.
Some big things I learned about Jesus!
- The idea that He is enough. He alone is more than enough for me. I realized that everything in life could be taken away from me and I would STILL be living in abundance because I have Him and He’s way more than all I need. There’s nothing I lack even if it really feels that way.
- His love is all around me all the time. In pieces of every moment of every day. If I’m able to change my perspective a little bit, to be more in tune to the expressions of His love in the daily things, it’ll become easier and easier to see Him all around. I’ve started recognizing His love for me in all kinds of things and it’s game changing.
- He’s given us each such unique gifts and talents and dreams and desires. And part of this means a responsibility for us to use these things to bring Him glory. We’re called to act on what He’s given us, otherwise He may take those things away.
Some people that impacted me a lot!
- Rabirah- my friend in Ethiopia at the children’s home. Watching Gods obvious hand in his life was beautiful and literally every day was just a new expression of His faithfulness and love! This guy is what really solidified my desire to work with kids with special needs in the future.
- Vuthy and his family- this was my ministry host my second and third month of the race in Cambodia. An amazing man with big dreams and even bigger faith. His passion got me excited to serve and his persistence was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The embodiment of being faithful in what Gods called you to even in the dry seasons.
- Zenit and El Dona- the women who worked in the kitchen at our home in Ethiopia. These women loved me so so well, and were such a comfort to me in my months of homesickness. We couldn’t really communicate with each other but it didn’t matter. They modeled love through service and were some of my hardest goodbyes yet.
- Corbyn- our alumni team leader the first three months of the race! She led us so well and loved us all even better. Probably one of the most impactful relationships I’ve had. Just the way she lived with Jesus so obviously impacted every single person around her.
- MY TEAM! Every single one of them for so many different reasons. Taught me about friendships and community. Was really hard at times but always so good. Learned to trust them and love them and be loved by them. For sure hand picked by God and there’s really no way to describe the impact they’ve had on my life.
Some of my hardest moments (and how they worked out for good)!
- Every. Single. Goodbye. They didn’t really get easier but I learned a lot through them. I’ve grown in trusting God with my people and trusting Him to care for them better than I could. Also learned to appreciate the gift He’s given me of loving really hard and deciding to run from it, even if it means sad goodbyes.
- Being sick- I was sick a lot. It was super hard to be sick and away from home but it taught me a lot about dependence on Him and about not letting my physically situation dictate my emotions.
- Homesickness- especially in Ethiopia when I got to talk to my family about three times in three months. So hard. Again, I learned a lot about depending on Him alone, and began to learn what it truly meant to have Him as my best friend.
Some of my favorite memories!
- Thanksgiving in Cambodia- my team got to celebrate thanksgiving with our host Vuthy, his family, and our friends from the small village we lived in. I really can’t describe how beautiful this night was. Just a bunch of people from such different backgrounds coming together and sharing a meal and getting to share the things we were thankful for!
- Christmas Eve in Ethiopia- we shared a meal as a squad and then had a Christmas Eve candlelight service together exactly like the one we have at my church at home. That night the stars were incredible and it felt like God was so so close to each of us.
- La Montana- my team got to spend a week working at a Christian camp in the mountains of Costa Rica. It was a lot of cooking and cleaning, but we were surrounded by some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Learned all over again how to serve not just like it’s for Jesus but because it’s for Him.
There’s about a million more things I could say about the days and moments and people that have changed my life. So much more I could say about what He’s taught me and shown me over these months. And I wish I could write them all out just to give God as much praise as possible for the incredible ways He’s moved in these months.
But just now, after typing all this out, I’m realizing there’s something way bigger and more important than all these things.
It’s why I’m changed but it’s not because of the race. It’s because of who He is. It’s why I’m not stressed that the race is coming to an end. Some things are changing, but not the most important thing. The race has been an amazing environment and the best step of obedience yet, but I’m so glad the reason for the change in my life is going to continue walking right by my side when this is all over. And finally understanding this truth is probably how God’s used the race to change my life the most.
Because God will use you wherever you are. No matter the place or the people or the opportunities you’re surrounded by. He’ll use it and He does. All it takes is a willing heart. Listening to His voice. Responding in obedience. Expecting Him to move but not expecting it to look a certain way. It’s not about moving to Africa or living out of a backpack. It’s about the simple acts of obedience every day. No matter where that takes you.
There’s such a value in taking the time to recognize the specific things and people He’s used to bring change in your life. Think about it! It’s actually really cool to do! But it’s not so much about those things (as good as they are and as much as they deserve to be thankful for). It’s just about Him changing you to look more like Him with every yes of obedience you say. Doesn’t matter if you’re all the way across the world or right in Austin, Texas. Be where He’s asked you to be and get ready for the growth and change that will come.
So thanks God for using the race to change my life! And thanks for continuing to shape and change me to look more like you through every season to come!
