The World Race isn’t just about traveling the world, going to the nations and being the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading His amazing news and loving like He did. It’s about learning to live in community. Thriving not merely surviving. It’s about growing and becoming more like Christ daily. And that my friends, is not easy.
Recently I had a word vomit in my journal about living in community and wanted to share:
When the bliss starts to wear off. When feathers get ruffled, annoyances and offenses start to rise to the surface. Eyes start to roll a bit more than before. “Help me see clearly Lord. What in me is causing me to feel this way about my team? When you see something in someone but they don’t see it or agree with it, what do you do? Am I wrong? Is my perception off? Am I being sensitive or offendable? Judgemental? What is it?” What happens when you get tired of your team and its only month 4? What happens when the honeymoon is over?
With the possibility of team changes on the horizon, today was the first day ever I didn’t feel sad about it. *shrug* I’ve wanted a challenge because that’s how you grow, right? I realized I was desiring something new. New conversation, new perspective, new stories, a new team. Yet the challenge I was desiring came in a form I didn’t expect. Slapped me right in my face. Will you stay when things get rough? When people get on your last nerve? When you’re tired of the same jokes and seeing teammates struggle with the same offenses? Will you persevere and stay committed? Will you continue to choose to love one another? Forgive one another? Give to one another? Or will you run?
Yes, I will stay Lord.
During launch before heading to Guatemala God told me to “go with broken wings and I will give you strength.” “Oh, how cute!” I thought. “What a moving thing to say.” Yet 4 months later I find myself clinging to that. I’m tired of some aspects of the WR, tired of living in constant community, tired of flapping these broken wings feeling like I’m going to crash any minute now. “But God.” He gives new strength on a daily that allows me to continue flying no matter what.
I absolutely love my team. Though it’s hard at times I know that a team change won’t fix anything. There will always be challenges, things that annoy you or offend you, things that simply drive you mad. Moving to the other side of the grass isn’t going to make things better. Life is about perspective and your attitude in whatever situation you find yourself in and the key is getting and relying on Christ’s perspective not your own.
We are called to love one another, encourage one another, help, accept, commit to, be patient with, live in harmony with, comfort, care for one another and the list goes on. This is easier said than done but I know it. is. possible!
I am thankful for my team. I am thankful for the abundant joy and laughter we share almost daily. I am thankful that they stretch me to see through the hard, through the negative. I am thankful that God gives me fresh perspective when mine starts to get foggy. I am thankful that I can be thankful exactly where I am at.
“Sandpaper is rough, but it smooths you out. Let people smooth you out, make you well-rounded, make you even more thankful to serve a God who loves you past faults and failures and character flaws. He is begging us to love one another, and love is rooted in acceptance.”- Mo
UPDATE!!
I am only $2,492.00 away from being fully funded! This holiday season please consider donating to my World Race account!!
Thank you!!
