So I’m in Irvine, California right now. What???? Yep. I actually did it. I crossed the country. Much to the disbelief of many of my friends and family when I initially proposed the idea. I’m sitting here at a Starbucks feeling so incredibly blessed, but very compelled to share.
I thought I’d give you a brief recap of what I’ve learned on this journey. (But let’s be honest, a single blog post isn’t going to scratch the surface of what God has so graciously and patiently taught me this month)
Lesson #1
“Talk less, listen more.”
The people who know me well will probably chuckle when they read this, and might even mutter “yeah right” to themselves. And doubt all you want, but through the myriad of situations I have encountered, some enjoyable, some not…I have learned that the world doesn’t always need to hear my opinion on something, someone, or some circumstance. I’ve learned that I have a ton to learn. And conversations with people who agree with me isn’t always the best way to do that. This month has been the tiniest little preview of what the next year is going to look like for me, my team and my squad! Above all, we need to have open hearts and open minds to stop talking…and listen more. Let’s try and look a little more like Jesus everyday.
Lesson #2
“I don’t have all the answers…and that’s okay.”
I have had a few conversations on this trip that have left me stumped. Yep, I can say that. I’ve been stumped. And you know what? THAT IS A-OKAY. As long as I am willing to acknowledge that NONE OF US will EVER have ALL the answers. Not even the people who have the most education, have been walking with God for 50 years, or who God gifts with discernment and wisdom. I’m learning that it’s totally okay to say, “You know, I don’t know enough about that to speak in that area…do you mind if I do some research and get back with you?” This does not make me inferior or the other person superior. It just means I have something to learn. And tomorrow, they might have something to learn. God’s classroom can be very refining, insanely challenging, but the rewards far surpass any A+ you’ll receive.
Lesson #3
“The Body of Christ exists outside of my comfort zone.”
The majority of my life I’ve operated out of my comfort zone, and I believe that is true for most of us. I’ve grown up surrounded by people who love me and support me. Whether that was in the church I grew up in, my Young Life community while in high school, my church community in college, the small-group I led in my home, my post-graduate church community, and the community of believers who have continued to support me after I moved home. I’ve been loved and supported and encouraged in the most Christ-like way. I’ve always had a beautifully encouraging picture of the body of Christ…but it was limited. Confined by my small-minded, self-focused constraints. To use a silly analogy…you know how our eyes follow shiny things? Well God had showed me a jar of glitter, but he had PRECIOUS GEMS waiting for me. I just had to get out of my own comfort zone. He has shown me that I can be welcomed into home after home, be provided with meal after meal, and encouraged in my journey by people who are absolute strangers. But even that isn’t true, we aren’t strangers. We are all children of God, and should be treated as such by one another. The body of Christ is BIG. Huge. And it exists outside of your hometown, your church, or your family. YOU. ARE. SO. LOVED.
There ya have it…a brief, yet heartfelt summary of what I’ve learned on this journey. I’m so incredibly stoked to be back in Austin, continue with fundraising, break into the fall/winter wedding season, training camp, friends to come visit, spend the holidays with my family…and then LAUNCH in January!!
SO HERE IS MY CHALLENGE.
Give up 1 Starbucks coffee a week for ONE MONTH. (if you’re not a Starbucks drinker, substitute in 1 dinner out a month, etc.)
And prayerfully consider joining my support team. $5/month, $20/month, it all makes SUCH a huge difference. I absolutely cannot do this alone. It’s not possible. And I need your help! I’m so thankful for all of you who have supported so far, both in prayer and through finances. You are contributing to God’s work in the nations through my squad!
