Transitioning back to the US has been tough. Sure, the thought of being back at “home” to see my family and friends was exciting but leaving what my life was on the WorldRace to do that was hard. Harder than I expected.
As every WorldRacer experiences; the abandonment of home in faith but still holding to doubts, the awkwardness of new Christian friendships (Christians are weird / me), the developed tension of Christian community, the unknown tendencies of the future, the unbalanced life of the race, the different changes of people, the different changes of foods, the different everything, all in all the experience is hard and overwhelming and simply can seem unbalanced. Over time though, you realize home is with God and people, these people become your family, you love the tension of Christian community as it makes you more like Jesus, you trust the unknown as you learn Christ goes before you, the unbalanced life doesn’t phase you as much becomes you learn new rhythms, and all the change becomes normal because it’s what is normal. For a moment you realize I could go back “home,” but there’s something special about this WorldRace life too. Well that has been my experience and now I’ve been tossed back into what I used to call “Home.” Now I’m beginning to realize sure it’s “home,” but honestly having that believe might even hinder my experience here on this earth. God said, “You are going back to Pinehurst, you are on a mission. Remember, Home is in relationship with me.” So being reminded of those words definitely has helped keep my focus on God’s plan.
So being back in the Land of the Pines has been a gift but with it tension has also arose. It’s been so good for my soul to be back in a city I love, to see the people I love, and have some experiences that I love. It’s been super refreshing but even a bit old and off to have experienced situations the same as I would have a whole year ago: friend hangouts, church, traffic, the food, the culture.. Sure it’s all evolving, but slowly than I would like. It’s all been great. But.. Once you have such a raw experience with God’s heart and His people like on the Race it changes you. I’m now a completely different person in the “same old city.” I know God has been working and is up to something here too but I have to look beneath the surface. The culture is different here. The way people view life and Jesus is different. There are many who view it like I do now but there are still so many who don’t. And really it’s not totally their fault and I shouldn’t get angry or impatient with them but rather I should be so excited to share my new life with them in a hope that they will see Jesus in a new way that it transforms them too.
Being on the Race has taught me many things that I’ll share later but first, simply being on the Race has taught me that Life is Ministry and Ministry is Life. Life is only found in the awareness of who Jesus is because Jesus is the way, the truth and life. (John 14:6) And ministry is a way of doing life. Put it all together; life becomes ministry when it becomes an expression of the heart. It’s an overflow of a response of worship to God that turns into a deeper love for Him and love for Humanity. This practically looks like being available at all times to love God and love people. To really take a step back and ask for the Father’s heart. To see the hurting, the lost, the broken, the outcast, the least and the lowest. It’s to see how God’s heart is the same for all, therefore; my heart should be the same for all. I’m reminded that life is not about an American Dream, having wealth, being popular, or even doing good things. Life is not about us having a “good life.” Life isn’t about being a Christian who checks off a bunch of boxes to fit the trend and “lifestyle” of the Southern Bible Belt. Life is about the giving up our own lives for the spread of the Kingdom of God here on earth because of the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Life isn’t to make a name for ourselves but it’s to make a name for His. Life is about becoming a home for humanity in our spheres of influence. As simple as it gets: Life is meant to be fully loved and to love fully.
The last line is really what I want filtered in to my life as I transition back into the States. Sure, I’m going to pursue my calling, I’m going to get a job, I’m going to give myself away for a greater cause, I’m going to hopefully find a wife and get a family, I’m going to have fun, I’m going to enjoy the simply things in life, I’m going to even have a resemblance of an outer “American Dream,” but that will only be because of God’s grace and faithfulness. I’m going to do a lot of ordinary things but there will be an extraordinary purpose behind them that it will change them all to become extraordinary. Jesus changes and makes things new. So my life is going to begin to be changed and made new. It won’t look like the world or even fellow Christians; it’ll be different. Simply the way I hope and plan to live my life is by these 2 verses:
1 John 3:16 “This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Because of this great love, we should be willing to lay down our lives for one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ”Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away. When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways. For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.”
Again, this trip isn’t what changed me. Jesus is who has been and will forever be changing me. This WorldRace experience gave me an opportunity to invite Jesus into my life in a whole new way. I’ve found my identity in such a deeper way. I’ve been pruned and trained up in such a new way. My calling and destiny has been redefined and pushed yet still remains a mystery (God has much more up His sleeve.) I’ve learned that Joshua Christopher Lett’s purpose and goal in life is:
”I want people to feel loved because of the love of Jesus in me. The way I was wired and gifted inspires me to give myself away to lead from the Local Church. I believe God has burdened and called my heart to be a Shepherd of His people. To simply love in a way that will help people cross their river. I want to help push and equip people to live for all that God has for them by me living my life loving and looking like Jesus. Humanity is broken and I want to do my part as storyteller to say, “God is the Home for Humanity and it’s in Jesus that all we need and desire is found.”
I’m excited for what’s next and up ahead. I’m ready to trust God where the adventure awaits but I’m more ready to be still and know He’s my God. I’m ready to live from rest and not strive. I’m ready to receive and enjoy this beautiful gift called life in Jesus.
Here’s a list I’ve put together to share what I’ve learned and experienced during these last 8 months:
• I’ve grown in my need and hunger for the Word.
• I was 15 when I really let Jesus become my Savior. I was 19 when I really let Jesus become my Lord. And now I’m 21 really learning that He Jesus, made a way for me to come Home to my Father.
• I’ve learned that I’m forgiven to come Home. Adopted into the family of God. Romans 8:15.
• It’s been a process of John 15:5 like no other.. I’ve been pruned and molded in my identity so much.
• It’s been a process of truly needing to become broken and emptied in Spirit like Matthew 5:5.
• It’s been a process of learning how to really love and lead people like 1 John 3:16.
• It’s been a molding and growth season for my heart in regards to my calling of being a Shepherd and leader for people. Joshua 1:9.
• It’s not about what you preach and teach but how you live, in regards to loving people. 1 Peter 5:2.
• It’s really not about me. Colossians 1:16.
• I’ve really learned to meet people where they are at and love them there regardless of where I want or believe they should be at. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13.
• “Love my people the way Christ has loved, loves, and will continue to love His Church.” -Fathers heart in prayer
These two statements have been truths that God keeps reminding me and brining me back to…
• “I used to want to fix people.. But now I just want to be with people.. As a Pastor my goal is not to change people, or even make their earthly experience better.. My role and goal is to remind and push them to stay in the story of Jesus by ME living a life that lives, loves and looks like Jesus.”
• “It’s not about the destination but transformationIt’s not about the where I’ll be but who I’ll be It’s not about my name but it’s about Jesus’s The adventure is not found in the destination but in the process.”
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6
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Here’s an update on what’s happening:
- While I was as in the Hospital they did did an MRI and some things were found to send me to a specialist. I finally was able to get the appointment. On September 13th at 8:30am I’ll be going in for a treatment. It’s not surgery but an “Endoscopic Treatment.” So please be supporting me through prayer that the doctors can find what’s going on or that I’m healed and never experience pain again. Thank you!
Things to be looking for:
- an invitation to a Q & A event.
- A new blog site
As you all know from my previous blog, that God’s word for me right now is to “Be still and know. Find rest; don’t strive.” With that being said, a way to continue to support me is by praying that I will discern God’s voice with regards to His provision in my life as it pertains to a job, a vehicle, school, ministry opportunities, and finances… thank you for your faithfulness to Abba Father!!!
Thank you for everything. Without you guys I wouldn’t have been able to experience this joyful year. I continue to covet your prayers and I want you to know that I experience the result of those prayers in the form of peace and joy.
I miss these guys so much. Love you Fusion Family.
