I am 5 months into the World Race with 7 more countries and months to go. Christmas time looks a little different for me this year. Instead of Alabama, it’s Cambodia. Instead of sweaters, it’s shorts and tanks. Instead of old friends and family, it’s new teams and new friends.
If I’m being honest, I’m a little tired. Cambodia has been wonderful. The beaches and sunshine of Sihanoukville have been exciting and so much fun. This month, our job was to seek out potential ministry hosts for future racers. The ministries we have been working with have been so life-giving. I became a teacher for a week at Life International School (shoutout to all my teacher friends at home because it definitely is no joke!). We led a daily morning devotional and then it was off to the 1st grade classes. Take a look at these munchkins. We did a night of bar ministry and took another turn at teaching English at an after-school supplemental program. We have attended approximately 4 Christmas parties/programs and 2 birthday parties. It’s really been a packed month full of hospitality, relationship, and new experiences. A little different from the hot cocoa, presents, familiar faces, and fireplaces I would be experiencing at home.
In all this “new”, I forget about the best thing about this season.
New hope that comes from the new life that Jesus came to give to us.
Our Father in Heaven gave the most precious present to us on Christmas. Jesus chose to come down to earth and became a human like us to bear our sins and relate to us. Not born with a birthing plan in a swanky (yeah, that word is still in) hospital, but in a manger in what probably was a cave back then. He would go on to life a humble life and die for the sins of all mankind. Casual. What kind of God does that? Oh right, ours. Sometimes I forget the gravity of this Gift and what it brings.
Renewed hope. Renewed life.
I think Christmas comes at the perfect time. The weight of the year is on us. We have so much to be thankful for, worried about, reflective of, hopeful for. The bible says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. Well guess what, world. Our hope is in Jesus so forget about deferring that. I need a little reminder of that in the busyness of this season of year and life. When I get tired, I can look at my Jesus. I can look at that wonderful, joyous night in Bethlehem where our King was born. Emmanuel. God with us. I can wonder at the love and mercy of our God.
Instead of discouragement, it’s perseverance and expectancy. Instead of disappointment, it’s hope. Instead of tiredness, it’s life.
Merry Christmas from the new team!
Team Arrow:
left to right, back row- Patrick, Tyler, Jonathan
left to right, front row- Sarah, Stephanie, me, Bre
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
