The World Race claimed to be more than a mission trip. And that has held true. The Lord has used the Race to teach me about this “life and life abundant” that Jesus gave us.
And when Jesus talked about this abundant life, He wasn’t just talking about the fruit of living “missionally.” And though Jesus instructed us in and with the Great Commission, there’s obviously more to our walk with Christ than just doing mission.
The past mission trips I’ve gone on prepped me immensely for this adventure. They taught me about serving in different cultural contexts, taking big steps of faith, going hard with the time given to you and that God does immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine.
The World Race has held all of those experiences. But how does it remain sustainable when the high of “mission” wears off, the people on your team start getting under your skin, you’re not passionate about your ministry, you want to quit, are burnt out, and don’t feel like or want to go to the Lord?
Because let’s face it, during 11 months and going to 11 different countries, all of those things become a reality at some point or another. And if “go and do mission” was the only thing being preached at me during all those moments, from others and from myself, I would be spiritually and emotionally unhealthy and the fruit from my labor would probably taste terrible.
Luckily the World Race doesn’t leave 20-somethings to disciple themselves, and we’ve been taught to see a larger picture than just “mission.” Instead, we look to Jesus and the way he lived all aspects of life, specifically intimacy with God, community with believers, and missional living.
So within the next three blogs, I’m going to be writing, and processing for myself, the focuses the Race gives us and how I feel like I’ve tasted this abundant life Jesus spoke of.
So first up: Intimacy
It’s a word that made me cringe as my mind would immediately think to sex or the name of the underwear section. But that quickly shifted as I began to understand the true meaning of the word and what it meant in a relationship with God.
To be truly known by someone and actually allow them to see you…and in return, seeking to truly know them too…
We know what it means or should mean to be close to a spouse, family member or friend. You love them, know what brings joy and what brings them down, challenge them, laugh with them, fight with them, fight for them, cry with them, go on adventures, talk with them and overall spend a ton of time with them.
Intimacy with Lord should be no different, if at least not on a whole new level. So what was it going to look like to have a truly intimate relationship with God? Of course it’s spending time reading His Word, but it’s so much more…
Jesus was more than just a preacher and a teacher. He didn’t just talk at people. He talked with them, went into their spaces, prayed with them, laughed with them, sang with them, mourned with them, rejoiced with them and so much more.
There’s nothing different now.
Because Psalm 139 is still true today. A psalm that describes our intimate life with Him. He has searched us and knows us and His presence is always with us. He is multifaceted. His ways of intimacy do not remain in our limited-view bubble.
I’ve spent time in his Word, dwelling in the words he left with us. I’ve journaled his miraculous ways throughout ministry/everyday life. I’ve cried out to Him when I felt like retreating. I’ve asked Him about His ways. I’ve asked Him to show me the deeper roots of why I feel or act a certain way. I’ve praised Him for who He is. I’ve sung beautiful worship songs to Him underneath His starry night sky. I’ve danced to Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” with Him.
He’s spoken to me in times pain. He’s spoken truths to me that I needed to be reminded of. He brings me back to my identity in Him. He’s convicted me of sin and shown me my ways that are not in alignment with Him. He’s rejoiced over me and told me what He sees in me. He’s gone on walks with me. He’s had me close my eyes and see Him holding my hand in our favorite place. He’s eaten with me. He’s spoken to depths of my very being.
He’s in every aspect of life. He desires that intimacy with us and for us to desire it back. And He’s always gracious and steadfast when we fail in it. He simply wants us to seek Him and to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
The more time I spend with Him, the more I recognize His ways and His voice. Because sheep know their Shepherd.
I think the first steps in being intimate with Him is giving him our mind and our time. Something that is a true fight. But man, it’s amazing what His children can experience if we give ourselves.
Intimacy with the Lord is how we are tethered to Him. It’s how we remain in the vine.
We are able to experience this intimacy because of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. Without Jesus, our view of God would be no different from other world religions.
But no, because the veil was torn, we get to experience the fullness of an intimate relationship with God.
