Dear Future World Racer,
I’m only in month 2, so take this with a grain of salt. I’m no expert. I’m not yet a WR alum, but a month and a half of living in community can teach you some things. Things about yourself, about others, about the Father, about your views of ministry, the list goes on.
1. The obvious(or maybe not so obvious): ministry is not what you think it will be. Yeah you’ve probably heard this before, but it couldn’t be more true. Ministry is talking to the man who you buy fruit from every morning. Ministry is going to the market and ending up at someone’s house, praying for their sick husband. It’s talking to the couple at the french fry stand about the retirement trip they are on. Ministry is every moment, keeping your head on a swivel, open to the Spirit’s promptings. I really like this new definition of ministry because it isn’t confined by a “missions” trip or a location or a time. It’s a daily choice. It’s ministry you can do anywhere, anytime. Don’t wait until you’re on the Race to live this way!
2. Simply put, the funding will come. It comes in outlandish, anonymous donations; it comes from those you never expected to donate at all. Don’t let a number keep you back from this amazing journey with the Lord.
3. I went into the Race with this idea that I had to be, and would be, “perfect” at all times. Yeah, that one flew out the door pretty darn quickly. When you live with people 24/7, you see the good, the bad, and the ugly. So go ahead and take off the mask in month one. Go ahead and be open with that one person that you have been turning away from. Be vulnerable. Tell your team what you are struggling with right off the bat; it will open up doors for others to share. Let the Father tear down walls you have put up around yourself. You will be so glad you did. Trust me! My relationships are already, in month 2, so much deeper, so much more safe, and so much more fun than I could have imagined, simply because I got real with the people around me. I can’t wait to see where we are month 6 and beyond.
4. Take care of yourself. Both spiritually and physically. Have time with the Father daily. It makes a difference. Don’t rely on your team leader to make time for you to get away with the Lord. Take it upon yourself; you’re a grown up. Your faith is your own, so your relationship with the Lord is your own responsibility, as is your health. Try (key word, try, because who knows what your host will get for you) to eat well. Stay active. I haven’t been doing too great with the physical side of this, but I’ve got 10 months to redeem it. Praise da Lord.
5. And lastly, expect to give and receive grace. A lot. Community is harder than you think and you will probably be a bit too hard on yourself at times(I know I am). Learn how to receive grace from the Father and in turn you can lavish it onto others. Sometimes it’s hard to disagree. It’s hard to want the best for someone who isn’t ready to receive it. And yes, it’s sometimes hard to give yourself a break when you screw up or when you refuse a prompting from the Spirit. But grace. But the cross. Remember the Father. Remember how He extravagantly, wonderfully, purposefully made you and each one of your teammates. He has each of you on this journey for a reason. He wants so much for you.
So as you embark on this incredible, challenging, joyful journey keep your expectations open, trust the Father, trust His grace, give it abundantly, and get ready for a year of incredible growth, community, and blessing.
Stay Classy,
Kara / / 2016 Expedition Squad
