When Jesus told His disciples to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” do you think they always understood the ways that Jesus was making them into “Fishers of men”? Do you think they ever wished it could be different, better, nicer, less difficult, more food and less people around all the time? I’m pretty sure they did, in fact, I think we know at least Peter did, because he went back to fishing when he thought it was not worth it anymore. If you could ask them after the dust settled and it really was all over, if they would do it again what do you expect you’d hear them say?
If you read my last blog, you may or may not have seen some of those feelings being reflected in what I have gone through in my personal journey over the last year. So why did I do it if it was so hard at times? Would I do it again? Why did I stick with it even if I didn’t like it all that much a few too many times? It’s simple really. Jesus said to me many years ago in a tent revival “Follow me”, and I did. Over the years following Him has looked at times the way I thought it would, and most times, like nothing I ever expected and if I’m honest into places and things I never wanted. He said follow me to Africa, I did. He said follow me into staying not going, and I did. He said follow me into leaving not staying, I did. He said Follow me into business, not overseas missions, I did. He said follow me into leaving everything, business, friends, family, community, houses, and trust that I will take care of them and go to YWAM, I did. He said go on the World Race. I asked Him, are you sure? He said yes, go. I said can I please go to this amazing School instead and learn more about you? He said no, go to the World Race. I said if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to go to the school, not the World Race. He said it’s not all the same to me, go on the World Race. No joke, I asked God at least 3 or 4 times, and always got the same answer, “Go on the Race”.
That’s why I went on the Race. That’s why I stayed on the Race even when I didn’t like it or the structure I talked about earlier. When you KNOW that you are following Him and what He wants you to do, you know there is always a bigger better plan and reason than anything you could ever dream up or at the time understand. It all comes down to one very simple but life changing question. Do I trust God’s character and His love for me enough to follow him anywhere even when I don’t understand it or want to go where He is taking me? When I trust the God I am following like a child trusts his father, I can follow Him into places I wouldn’t go if I didn’t trust him. It’s easy enough to follow him into the burger house and have a burger with him, but not as easy to follow him into the desert and not eat anything for forever.
I know now as I look back over my life why God asked me to stay and not go, leave and not stay, go into business not overseas missions, go to YWAM and trust him with all the stuff back home, but I don’t know why He asked me to go on the Race. I can think of a few reasons that might be why he had me do this, but He hasn’t shown me why yet. He might tomorrow (I personally like that time line), or next year, or ten years from now or in eternity. I’ve asked him a bajillion times while doing this, because I thought if I knew it would make it easier, but he didn’t tell me. I think maybe because He wants me to trust Him even when I don’t know why. And I’m ok with it. Because I know why I came on the race; He told me to. Every time I have followed Him into anything whether I thought it was a good idea or not, it has always been worth it and was a way better plan than my own plan.
Would I do it again? Totally not! ……unless He told me to, than you better believe I’d do it! I’d probably ask Him several times if He wasn’t joking with me, and if there wasn’t something different that fit the plan just as well that we could agree on.
Have I enjoyed the Race? You bet I have! Following God is never boring or dull, or just difficult things thrown at you for an endless amount of time. It’s full of Joy and life, and this year has not been any different.
I loved the new friends and family I have met on my squad who have forever impacted my life and become like family, I’m going to carry them in my heart forever. I have met some truly amazing people!
I loved all the people I got to meet all over the world and the chance to become close friends with some totally amazing people who I will never forget and hope to see again someday. I miss them already.
I fell in love with countless numbers of kids who walked in to my life and stole my heart right out of my chest. It is so fun to hang out with kids who are so full of life and fun and show love without reserve or prejudice.
I have loved how much God has taught me about trusting Him and His character through this journey of being away from all the responsibilities he has given to me back home. It’s been a massive year of learning trust, and I love it.
I love that Sara was able to step into a formal role of leadership on the Race and it has been totally awesome to watch her do so well at what God has gifted her with. She has grown so much, and is such an amazing lover of people I can’t help but be proud!
I’ve loved eating so many different types of food and learning to enjoy them. The food I thought I would not enjoy the most, I ended up liking the best, Indian food all the way!
God taught me a boat load about people, about grace and truth and how they are both needed in our lives, he showed me my own selfishness, I could swear I grew 100 times over in patience with others (don’t test me on this one J), He taught me in wisdom and gave me experience, and I have gotten to know Him more. And that is the one goal I have above all others, to know Him and be known by Him.
This year was totally awesome, I’ve loved it and sucked the life out of it. It’s been good. It truly has been good. I don’t regret a day of it. I will always look back at this time with fond memories, and who knows maybe someday God will show me why He really had me do it, or maybe it was for all the little reasons I just mentioned, either way, He’s an amazing guy to follow and I love what he has done in me through this.
