I’m home. I’ve been home from the race for three months. Three full months of realizing how weird the race was, how weird the U.S. is, and realizing how truly weird I am (and how weird I have become since being on the world race). I walk down sidewalks talking with friends realizing that everyone can understand me. I drive knowing that I don’t have to dodge cows, Indian buses, or the lady selling dead chickens. I don’t get greeted by everyone around me. I can go the store and find anything I could ever need. I don’t need a buddy just to use the bathroom. I don’t get invited to strangers houses (which is probably good). And I can go anywhere and tell them that I love Jesus freely and openly. This is a blessing. The United States is a blessing.
I have often been ungrateful for this country that I call home. I have always dreamed of being somewhere else, doing something else, and seeing all new things. Even if I never said it out loud, I disliked the U.S. I thought of it as a materialistic, selfish, and prideful culture. And to be honest sometimes I still do. I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth in the lovely mountains of Colorado, but until I left I never saw the beauty of my home or the beauty of this country and its freedom. There is so many amazing parts of different cultures around the world, Such as the generosity of Indians, the hospitality of Zambians, and the kindness of Ecuador. But since I have been home I’ve begun to see and be so thankful for the parts of our culture that are so wonderful. Jesus used to rest of the world to remind how beautiful the freedom of the United States is. Because while our country (along with every country in the world) has it’s own problems and issues, Jesus is still working here and he has given us this amazing place to say what we want, think what we want, and choose what we want. That’s a beautiful thing people. And while most of us take this for granted and watch some abuse it, I want to remind us that everything we say and everything we do in this country and in our community can make an impact for the kingdom. We are a blessed people. Most have homes jobs, and food , and we have ministries and organizations that provide most of those things for the people that don’t. I began to see this more and more since I have been home. And since disaster has struck our country, I’ve seen people from all walks of life give so much to those who need it. I’ve seen hospitality, generosity, and kindness. Iv’e seen a people live like materialistic things don’t matter and give all they can to serve others. Jesus has shown me how he is at work in the U.S. and how he is working in so many people to work for him in this country! We just have to have the courage to speak up and use the gift of freedom that we’ve been given. It’s our job to create community, to seek out those in need of a savior, and pursue each other in Christ. God gives us opportunities everyday (or divine appointments as I’ve learned to call them) to show Jesus to people in different ways. It’s a bit harder than on the race, people might not just invite you over for tea to hear why your walking down main street, but almost everyone speaks the same language and that in itself is amazing. We have so many opportunities to tell others the good news of Jesus, we need only the courage. And that comes straight from God himself. He always gives us the strength we need when He is about to work. People may be a bit more standoffish about hearing the gospel in the United States, but sit and listen to their story. I know for a fact that we can learn something from every person, because every person has a story that made them wiser than they once were. I have seen Jesus work more at home than ever before. There is a revival going on here in the states. Even if we can’t see it or feel it right now, it’s happening and we as the body of Christ have the perfect opportunity to love others the way Christ love us. Since I have been home I have experienced more of who Jesus is, seen him work the most miraculous ways over and over again. I see him in the mountains by my house, in the Colorado sunsets, in my small town church, and in the Americans I meet and talk to everyday. I know I am still called into the unknown outside of the United States, however I will always be grateful for this place I get to call home.
