What are my expectations for the World Race? What do I think will happen over the next couple of months? How will I adapt to live in so many new places? What will America look like when I come home? Who will I become?
*How will God work in me so that I continue to grow to be more like Christ?
*What will God do to change, soften, break and/or heal my heart?
I have been thinking about my expectations for the Race at random moments all week. I was kind of afraid to blog about it because I don't really know what to expect. I do have some hopes of what I'd like to see happen in my life and the lives of those around me. So, here's an attempt to show some of the things, both serious and silly, that I'm expecting of my time spent on the World Race.
I expect to…
- Understand what it is to be walking and living in the Spirit, DAILY!
- See the glory of Christ displayed through different cultures, languages, worship styles, and people.
- Smell and see things that I've never encountered before; things I will never forget.
- To have my heart broken for people and be frustrated that I can't bring relief. But to also be reminded that my God is Greater and Stronger. He can.
- Be uncomfortable. Whether this means a cold shower, no shower, unhealthy food or a lack of sleep. (…I expect to hopefully learn what it is to be joyful in discomfort).
- Have freedom from the material things that take my attention and crowd my room (literally, I'm a hoarder sometimes).
- Miss my family and friends at home, but to also gain a new family.
- See God's faithfulness and know that He can be trusted with my life plans.
- Be able to trust and encourage my teammates and learn what real community looks like.
I also expect to…
- Feel frustration and discouragement at times.
- Feel like I've been on the journey forever, but still be wishing for more.
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Encounter spiritually dark places that are heavy and oppressive. Places that reek of evil; ones that can only be conquered by the light of Christ. (This is where your prayers come in big time! No, really…please stop reading now and pray for the spiritual battles to come… Thank you!)
- Struggle with the reason that I have lived with so much blessing and happiness when there are those who will never have their physical or spiritual needs met throughout their entire lifetime.
- Have my beliefs tested about who God is and who He says I am.
- See how my choices as an American consumer affect people abroad. (I'll probably buy a lot less chocolate, as well as certain clothes and shoes when I come home.)
Finally, I expect to…
- Learn boldness and be adventurous in trying new things and intentionally talking to new people.
- Have lots of good belly laughs that make me cry and work my abs until they hurt.
- Eat whatever my host serves, even the times when I don't want to know what it is.
- Ride a yak. No, seriously. Don't they have those in India and/or Nepal? Don't worry, if I succeed, there will most definitely be a blog about it.
Ok, apparently I did have a few more expectations than I realized. I expect that God will blow my mind as He reveals Himself when I quiet myself to seek Him… but wait, He'll do that while I'm sitting here at my desk…and He'll do it for you too as you're reading along on your home computer if only we would ask Him to.
I don't expect that it takes something like the World Race for me (or you) to encounter God. In fact, He is waiting expectantly on us to truly seek Him wherever we are right now.
