I’ve gotten comments on my Instagram, “I want your life.”
Umm…you sure?
Because my Instagram photos are NOT what the Race looks like. Don’t get me wrong, on our off days we do get to go out and do cool adventurous things. I’ve gotten to ride elephants, pet tigers, lions, cheetahs, eat so much cheap street food, swim in beautiful beaches, bungee jump in Victoria Falls…
But if you signed up for the World Race to just get those experiences- STOP NOW.
Plan your own itinerary for your travels, because the World Race is not what my Instagram photos show.
It’s sleeping on the floor, sweating all night, restless nights, 51 hour bus rides with 35 people on a 20 people bus, squatty potties, cleaning pig stalls, diarrhea for weeks, constantly itching from mosquitos, puking at least once a week (at least in Africa I did), homesickness, whatever you struggled at home times that by 100, almost pooping your pants, eating rice and beans for three months straight (I will puke if I see that again), ticks, scorpions, spiders, snakes….do I need to say more?
But all of that is worth it, because I am building His kingdom. Some months I get to see the fruits of what other Racers left, some months my team is the first to plant seeds, and sometime we water seeds and encourage. Regardless, the ends of the world are getting to hear His word. Whether that is in remote villages, red light districts, in big cities, in the middle of NOWHERE, we are willing to go. With our 65 liter backpacks, living in tents, drinking warm water in 106 degree weather. It’s ALL WORTH IT.
So be careful when you say you want my life. It’s not petting tigers, river rafting, riding tuks tuks, and jumping off waterfalls. It’s giving EVERYTHING you have. Your comforts in food & sleeping, air conditioning, feeling clean, chocolate, all become delicacies. And when I get them, I cry. I CRIED OVER CHOCOLATE, PEOPLE! Ask Caitlin on my team if you don’t believe me.
My Instagram shows highlights on the Race, but it doesn’t show when I wanted quit the Race. It doesn’t show me sick. It doesn’t show the hard life.
If you want to be stretched, challenged, changed, and to spread His love, sign up NOW.
But not everyone reading could or can sign up for the World Race. Not everyone needs to drop all their comforts or leave their loved ones to get the SAME experience I am around the world.
It starts with community, healthy community. It starts with those who can call you out and hold you accountable. A community that tells you if there’s anything in your life that doesn’t line up with Jesus and still love you where you are at- for you, for your mess, for you in your worst because communities will bring the best and worst in you. YOU CAN’T GROW ALONE. Exposure of who you are is freeing; it’s what will make you grow. Jesus didn’t have a disciple; He had disciples. You need to be pushed so you feel the pull. It’s that vital. You might think this sounds great, but it’s hard.
It’s hard, but so so beautiful, bearing so much fruit in your life. You naturally start reaching to your community, do adventures together, eat and drink amazing food, share and create memories, and show what love is around you.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35
If you are jealous of my life or want my life, join me in picking up His cross…DAILY
