I’ve hear remarks from those following my adventure that go a little something like this, “I could never do something like that!” And, “Wow, that’s incredible, but I don’t think I am suited for that.” Or, “You seem like you are really enjoying yourself, but isn’t it really hard?”
Well, let this blog post be a testament to the fact that yes, you absolutely could do something like this, and sure, its kind of cool and yes, you are suited for this. Also, did you know it’s possible to really enjoy something that’s hard? I didn’t get it either actually. But let me try my best to explain why all of your assumptions about the World Race and your doubts about your own abilities to do such a thing are probably a little off course.
First of all, the World Race is absurd when you consider how nothing about it is normal for human beings. 11 countries. 11 months. 11 contacts. 11 communities to fall in love with. 11 countries to gawk at. 12 ginormous transitions in one year. I mean, there is nothing “normal” about this life style. Technology and advancements in this strange world have created ways in which this life style is possible, but by no means does it make it “normal.” I’ll go ahead and let you know that if you are getting ready to sign up for the Race, you are out of your mind. And beautifully so!
I like to think of Jesus when I get overwhelmed by the reality of this life style. He traveled around for three whole years with 12 scraggly guys who I am sure, at times, Jesus got really fed up with. Remember when Jesus and his disciples were walking down the road after the Samaritan village rejects them? Here is the dialogue between Jesus and his disciples:
“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.’ Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:57-62
So, in essence, Jesus called his disciples away from everything they knew to be home and everything they found comfort in. We can see this reality also in Luke 9:1-3:
“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.’”
We can observe from the first scripture I mentioned that this calling wasn’t the “norm” back then because the disciples seem pretty in awe that Jesus would tell them “the dead will bury the dead” and “don’t look back or you won’t be fit for this journey.” I can imagine the reason this scripture doesn’t share the responses of the disciples is because Luke, the writer and fellow disciple, had absolutely nothing to say about this rather absurd thing Jesus says to them. Maybe Luke was a little dumb founded. It may have seemed a little heartless and cold at the time, especially since just a few day before Jesus told them to leave all their comforts back at home for the journey ahead had no room for them. He commanded them to “take nothing for your journey.” So, this type of living seems utterly normal to Jesus. He knows that his Heavenly Father provides all things necessary. Go get your Bible and open up to Luke 12:22-31. As humans, we seek and we strive after things that we spend countless minutes being anxious about. But, here, Jesus advises us to chill out. Cool off. Stop stressing out because “your Father knows” what you need. So, if we just realize that this life style is absurd, but in the same breath it is also exactly what Jesus has called his followers to do from the beginning of his ministry then I think that we would all be able to understand that we are capable of this. I am capable. YOU are capable. Don’t count yourself out.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently how there are more days than not where I find myself forgetting I am on the World Race. Your eyes are probably as big as coconuts right now. That’s right, I forget I am living on the Race. I forget that I am living out this life style that Jesus has called his followers to. It has become my life style. Is it hard? Oh, yes! It’s the hardest thing I have done in all my life, believe you me! Don’t understand me wrong, there are some days when I crave my cozy little house in the suburbs of Midlothian, Virginia, my favorite health food store, Ellwood Thompson, and the warmth of my mom and dad’s hugs. I miss talking to my best friends and sharing life’s experiences with them and my church community where I can always have something, or someone, to laugh at. But ultimately, this life is beautifully simple and perfectly normal. *GASP* I just called this normal!
When it comes to sitting down to write a blog, I often begin writing and ditch it half way through because I feel like no one wants to know about the day-to-day stuff. I think that because it has become normal. What’s funny is that when I call home I feel the same way. People give me a recap of the big things going on and then ask me to give them a detailed analysis of what life has been like the past few weeks, and I have nothing to tell them other than the few highlights of ministry or off days. Once again, these are the times I forget I am living a life style that many do not choose to live out. And please don’t think I am puffing myself up to be some “holier than thou” missionary who has it all right and can never do wrong. That’s exactly what I am trying to steer away from. The point I am ultimately trying to make is that anyone can do this.
We are all called into the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. Not one of us Jesus Follower’s are left out from such a commission. Now, I can’t say that I am living quite as rugged as the disciples (I mean, I have an actual toilet seat, hot shower, and grocery store lacking nothing but quinoa this month), but I can say I am making steps to live similarly. I’ve left my home. I’ve joined with fellow “crazies” and left my closet and favorite grocery store. I’ve begun to realize my identity is in Christ and that no material possession can satisfy me quite like He can. I’ve heard the Lord clearer than ever due to the lack of clutter around me. I’ve chosen into friendships that resemble Christ more than any other relationships I’ve had thus far. I’ve let my guard down, been broken into a million tiny pieces, and then been put back together to look more like my Maker. I’ve joined in with the praises of people all around the world, and I’ve shed many tears of sorrow with people all around the world. And now, I want to tell you that this life style isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s not shiny and flashy. It’s not lacking and it’s not wanting. It’s full. It’s extravagant in the tiniest of ways and the occasional grandest of ways. It’s simplified and it’s beautified. It’s hard. It’s renewing. It’s LIFE.
This life style isn’t so crazy after all. It’s just the very way that Jesus asked his followers to live. Here’s to living that out and bringing His name glory and fame!
