These are, in no particular order, 5 things I’ve learned while being on this journey:
1. Security and Identity
What it means to be a daughter to the most high sovereign king. To be pursued and feel loved by a man that literally died for me. As a words-of-affirmation person, I often put importance on what others thought of me. During the race, I’ve come to learn to dive into what it means to seek words of affirmation from the actual Word, the truth. Knowing I’m a beloved daughter and my security and identity is in Him.
2. Community
I thought before the race I knew what living in community was like. I was wrong lol I had lived life and had community at home, but on the race, I actually LIVED in community. Not being alone for 11 months teaches you more about what compromise looks like. How to communicate with one another when you disagree. To see the good side and bad side from others and they see that from you, yet you still pursue each other. One body in Christ, for better or worse, we are the bride of Christ, brothers and sisters with one another, bonded by the blood of Jesus at the cross.
3. Authority in Gifts and Passions
Living amongst 18 other people, you get to see what they are good at and what they like. I have also learned that about myself, what gifts I have to share and pour into others, and what passions I want to pursue. The Lord gives us authority to use those gifts and passions to bring Kingdom here on Earth, to glorify His name! If we aren’t walking in those gifts then the body of Christ hurts. One thing I’ve learned is that each of us has individual gifts and should walk in that. I have learned to grow in worship and dance and share my joy with others.
4. Faith and Trust
Throughout these past 11 months, I’ve had to trust and have faith that the Lord knows best! He will show up, every time. One instance, the Lord gave me a message to speak on. As most know, I dislike public speaking, but I prayed and had to trust the Lord to show up. It was the first time the Lord specifically told me to speak on a topic, and it was also the first time I had ever had peace when public speaking. His grace is sufficient and His burden is light! He is the ultimate comforter and can bring peace! I continue to have more faith and trust in Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and these past 11 months has been a testimony of that.
5. Ministry
I had a cookie cutter idea of what I thought ministry looked like. Going to 10 countries and experiencing 11+ different ministries and ways to serve the Lord has broadened my view of what I think ministry looks like. I have participated in aquaponics farming, coffee ministry, ATLs, youth programs, teaching, ESL, cleaning, prayer walks, evangelism, sharing testimonies, bible studies, worship nights, making jewelry, serving my squad as a logistics coordinator, serving food at a homeless shelter, hospitality, childcare, house visits, and probably anything else you could think of. My favorite ministry by far, however, is doing what I love, which is to worship through dance! And teaching that to others 🙂
This is just a brief overview of some of the things I’ve learned and grown in while on the race. I can’t wait to share so much more when I return home! My next blog should be from The States! See ya soon!!
