Month four of the World Race is coming to an end. On the night of January 2nd, my team and I will travel from our ministry location in Gua Musang back to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. We'll spend a few nights there before boarding an airplane routed for Osaka, Japan to kick off month 5.
I could write novels on my refection of the first leg of this journey; the growth, experiences, trials, and laughs this trip has delivered me has been in seemingly infinite quantities. New things that I've discovered about myself, things about myself which have been reinforced and verified, and the many ways I need growth, all revealed naturally by the atmosphere which Adventures in Missions intentionally sets us racers in. Exposing my weaknesses, revealing my strengths, and training my brain to be Kingdom focused has been well orchestrated, and, while I'll be the first to admit I was modestly resistant to change, I've begun to find the beauty in dropping the old self and stepping into who God created me to be.
So I just want to briefly explain a few things I have come to understand more fully in the early months of the Race. My experience is my own – God certainly teaches us different things based on who we are and where we are.
#1 – God is present. Always.
Our God is big. Like, really big. Unfathomably big. He is a God who is with us wherever we go all the time. He isn't a God who only shows up when we pray, or when we go to Church, or read the scriptures; He is present at all times. I've often (subconsciously) in the past set aside certain times throughout the day or week when I would allow God to show up; but outside of that window, time was mine. He was my convenient God, a guy who I looked up to to fulfill my wants, not Lord of my life whom I would seek direction from. But on the race, where ministry is every day, God has become much more relevant in my decision making and all around attitude. I've discovered that I would talk to God as if He was someone far away, when really He, at all times, envelopes me. Learning to talk to God like He is right beside me has been integral in building my relationship with Him. Praying all throughout the day has given me a sense of peace, happiness, and contentment that nothing else has been able to.
#2 – People, of all walks, are awesome.
Travel is new to me. Prior to the race, Canada was the only country outside of the US that I had been to. While I didn't really doubt the kindness of people in other areas of the globe, I was intrigued on how cultural differences might come across as abrasive or slightly offensive without them (or us) meaning offense. However, that hasn't been an issue at all. People, in every country we have been in, have been extremely generous, kind, interested, and amiable. Chinese, Thai, Burmese, Khmer, Malay, Indian, everyone has been extremely courteous and genuine to us, whether it be ministry contacts, people we minister to, or just pedestrians on the same sidewalk as us who wish to talk. Hindu, muslim, buddhist, irreligious, or Christian – the same applies. In fact, I would say people overseas are much more tolerant of differences than many Americans. I have really enjoyed being able to interact with the locals whenever possible.
#3 – Community living isn't easy – but it creates potential for exponential growth.
Out of the many, many grounds for why the World Race cannot and should not be categorized as a vacation, the fact that I've been living with the same five other people 24/7 the whole time may be the standout. Don't jump too far into any conclusion – my team is pretty cool, consisting of myself, team leader Miss Alysa Sharp, team accountant Miss Anna Javaux, the wonderful Miss Bethany Fristad, the beautiful Miss Allison Braun, and Connecticut's own Mr. Jacob Johnson. This fine group of individuals has made me laugh, angry, stressed, joyous, and has helped me become much stronger in my walk with God than before (however, they have not gotten me to cry). They bug me, they annoy me, frankly they piss me off sometimes, but above all that – they make me laugh, they are loving, they seek after God, and have encouraged me to do the same. They are awesome; I love them. We have great times together, they fight for me, they show what it means to love God in different ways. I'm indebted to what each one of them has taught me. God put them in my life for some great reasons. So here's to them; for putting up with me, for loving me, for the good times we have had. My introverted nature makes community living difficult, but my team has made it easier for me by being who they are. Thanks guys.
#4 – God uses His people for awesome things all over the place.
What can I say about our contacts? They are awesome! From the awesome ministry Jake is doing in Harbin, China, to all the awesome Jesus followers in Mae Sot and Mae La Noi, Thailand, to Vuthy in the Cambodian bush, to Kumar in Malaysia, these people are definitely followers of the Spirit. Their obedience is inspiring, their drive to serve the Lord is incredible. God is using each of them according to His purpose all over the world, in areas of darkness and in areas of light. To say I've been able to serve along side them is a privilege. Along with all the other contacts other teams have been with, God's people are out spreading His kingdom all over! God doesn't call the qualified – He qualifies the called.
#5. – I am loved for who I am.
Not for what I do. That's true love; pure love; love from the Father. God loves me fully for who I am, not for what I do. There is nothing I can do to make Him love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less, because His love isn't measured by my deeds, but by the fact that I am his child, regarded by Him as priceless. The best part is that it goes for every human to live – not just me. This love, so unconditional and so astute, blows my mind. Looking at today's world and the love corrupted by our perversion, it seems impossible. A love that never fails seems ridiculous – and in a way, it is. But God, who is love Himself, has that unfailing compassion for each of us, and Him, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, actively and relentlessly pursues an intimate relationship with every one of us. Us being obedient and loving towards Him does not earn us favor over others or make God love us more – it simply increases our ability to receive this immense amount of love He has for us.
i am genuinely excited for what God has for me and my squad in the upcoming months of the race. It has been an awesome ride, and I know it is going to continue. I'm blessed beyond measure to have this opportunity.
