When I was little, I used to bring home projects all the time from school; like making my own volcano, or coming up with a presentation to present the solar system to my class, or drawing a dragon for a contest. I wanted to be an A student, I had a strong desire to be looked at as smart and accomplished, but as all little kids do I often attempted to take the easy way out. Asking my mom for extra help with homework, doing presentations in teams so I wouldn’t have to speak as much, or using templates and outlines so I would have a foundation to start at rather than trying to create my own.
This mindset, the shortcut, lets quicken things, make life easier mindset, is common not just in children, but in humans as a general whole. We as a body like easy tasks, we value the idea of making things simple, of taking methods and dumbing them down so that hard work turns into something easier, something we don’t have to stress about.
The honest truth though, however obnoxious it may sound, is that nothing worth having comes without hard work, nothing worth having is easy. Overcoming Trial is what makes our lives worth living, it’s what teaches us valuable lessons, makes us stronger, increases our stamina, and improves success. When I applied for the world race, I had a mindset of excitement and ambition. Which of course is needed if you are in the middle of any big life decision. But what I failed to comprehend at the time was the difficulties that would come partnered with the race. Difficulties such as the seemingly tedious task of fundraising, the lessons I had to learn at training camp about community and missional living, the amount of times people were going to tell me that the race is no piece of cake, and of course, the task of actually leaving everything I am familiar with for something that I have no shroud of security in, and that I really know nothing about.
I never knew that it was possible to feel homesick before leaving home, nor did I realize I have the unfortunate ability to miss people before I have left them. My reason being that in past experience whenever I have left I have usually been traveling towards a set destination, somewhere I know, or at least towards someone I know. Like my father’s house, or my grandparents, to people or places in which I feel a sense of security in. It’s easier leaving people when you are focused on what you are leaving FOR rather than what you’re leaving BEHIND.
But as I was sitting alone today thinking of how stressed I have been and how I have been looking at things, I had an epiphany of sorts. I have been looking at this phase of my life from a COMPLETELY wrong angle. Perspective is everything you know. So here is what I realized. Nothing in life worth having can be attained without hard work. And as I thought about that line, which one of my amazing teammates said just the other day, I started thinking about what I am working towards. It’s God. That’s the whole reason for going isn’t it? So why am I so psyched out that I am going to a new place? Or that I’ll be with people who I don’t know? Or that I’ll be stepping out in unfamiliar ways? Every place is God’s place! And Anyone I meet ultimately belongs to God. All people are his people!!! Philippians 4:13 TELLS ME that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Which means that if I have decided to find security in God, then I should feel secure in starting out this adventure with a light heart, full of good aspirations and an abundance of enthusiasm.
I have no shortcuts for this specific project. There is no way that I can ask for help from someone else in lending me some faith, and there is no way to make the process of learning to serve others easier. EXCEPT by putting 100% trust in the Lord. I am making the compromise that if I agree to work hard, and believe in His ability and guidance, He will hold up His promises that the righteous and obedient will be strongly rewarded. If nothing worth having comes without hard work, then I am willing to change my whole life this year, because if ANYTHING is worth having in this world, it’s the LORD.
Thanks for reading!!!
I am still about $5000 short from being fully funded! If you feel inspired to donate or share my blog with anyone you know that would be an amazing blessing! And even better, if you want to chat or have any questions I would LOVE if you would email me at [email protected] 🙂 God Bless!!!
