I love y’all. I love each of you as if you were my own family. How often in life do you meet someone who becomes instant family much less 55+ people who take on that role? It’s an enormous blessing and one that I doubt I will ever experience again. Because of this love that I have for y’all I wanted to pour my heart out regarding something that has been weighing it down for a significant period of time.
First, why have you decided to leave your family, your friends, your job, and your country to set out on the World Race? We all have a multitude of reasons, various callings, and passions. Still, at the end of the day I can guarantee we all have two very similar reasons for embarking on this adventure. One, we love our Father and want nothing more than to see His Glory flooding this world. Second, we love our neighbors. Not just our next door neighbors, not just our city neighbors, but our human neighbors. We love them and we want to serve them without any strings attached.
Second, how far are you willing to go to allow God to grow you? Are you willing to step out in complete faith knowing there is no possible way to avoid discomfort? Moreover, what does discomfort mean to you? Does it mean not having a shower every day (or even every week)? How about leaving U.S. soil not knowing the next time you will be able to stock up on toiletries? Maybe it will be the inability to get your weekly mani/pedi or put on makeup every day (I’ll be real, not wearing makeup every day will be a struggle for this girl). Squatty potties, huge bugs, dirty hair with roots showing because getting highlights ended when we left America, the list literally goes on and on.
We have slowly been collecting the essential gear that we are all aware we have to take. Tent, sleeping bag, hiking pack, daypack, etc. Most of us are probably a huge reason as to why our local REIs have made a profit the past six months. There are so many gadgets, so many tools, so many different types of clothing that we can spend our energy researching and our finances purchasing. It is overwhelming, and it gets even worse when the employees (who are just doing their job mind you) point out all the items that will make our trip easier/more comfortable. The funny thing is is that there is no possible way to fully prepare no matter how much time and money we spend because the majority of our experiences are going to be spiritual and emotional IF we are doing the Race the way it is intended. The physical aspect just does not matter. The idea is to abandon our creature comforts. The idea is to live in true community with not only each other but with the people we are serving. If these people whom God has called us to wholeheartedly serve are bathing in a bucket or a river then guess what? I am too. If we, as a squad, are forced to limit bathing to 50% of our mates for the week then guess what? I’m not bathing.
There is nothing magical about the World Race yet all of us have read an insane amount of blogs featuring Racers and stories that never cease to floor or amaze us. Why are so many miracles occurring on this 11 month journey? Those Racers are just like us. What is SO different? I have found one single theme woven into every story involving a God Moment. The more these Racers are willing to let go of anything that is keeping them from trusting that the Lord will provide for their needs the more He shows them that He will provide EVERYTHING they need. Is there discomfort at times? Of course! The goal of the Race is not to attempt to bring anything and everything that will keep us from feeling uncomfortable though. It’s the complete opposite. We should feel uncomfortable. A very basic tenant of the World Race’s mission is to have young adults 21-35 leave everything we know as part of our normal life and realize that the way we live in America is anything but normal. We are the exception in this world, not the rule. How many blogs have you read that talked about simplification? I have yet to read a single blog from a Racer that said anything close to, “Man, I really wish I would have brought more stuff with me.”
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying we should not be prepared with basic necessities; however, when that preparation begins to take over and our focus shifts from the spiritual preparation to the physical preparation we are losing sight of why we signed up for the World Race. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world.” This obviously does not mean that it is wrong to have possessions or to want to look or feel put together but when that desire comes at the expense of spiritual growth (both during this season as well as on the Race) we are now sacrificing the spiritual for the physical.
Now dear squad mates, I ask you to look at what you’ve collected for this journey or what you’ve listed on your “Wish List”. I ask you to consider where your priorities lie. I ask you to ensure that pride in your physical appearance and/or fear of discomfort is not outweighing your ability to trust our Father. This season of preparation is your first miracle waiting to happen. God wants you to trust that He has this. He wants to prepare you physically, emotionally, mentally, and above all spiritually for September. Allow Him to do so. Focus on your spiritual growth. Pray for your squad. Pray for those to whom we will minister. Do not worry about whether or not you have the proper kind of underwear, a pack that is big enough, the correct shoes, or how you will fit everything in your pack. If you cannot fit everything into your hiking pack you have too much. I challenge you to take the risk of allowing your squad mates, the communities where we live, and most of all our Father to step up and provide you with what you need. The Lord ensures each of these communities has the necessary subsistence to live so why worry about whether or not we can survive there? He takes care of those communities and He will take care of us. You already have one huge supporter in me and if you ever need anything while we are on the Race this is my promise that I will give it to you. I love each and every one of you and cannot WAIT to meet y’all face to face at camp!
