That you’re the minority on your squad, sorry.(Where the men at?)
That there will be women on your squad that are excited to be on a team with you.
That there are women that do not want to be within 10ft. of you.(Don’t take it personally.)
That when discussions/arguments happen in your team/squad, it may become boys versus girls.
That you have a inborn responsibility to lead spiritually.
That there are women on your squad that are way better leaders than you.
That for the next 11 months you are the representation of men for the women on your squad.
That you must protect the women on your squad in multiple ways, yet make sure that they are challenged and grown.
That you will crave “bro time” any chance you get.
That not every girl you spend a lot of time with wants to date you.(In fact, it’s even less than that. And even less than what you just thought.)
That you’re going to be challenged emotionally and spiritually, not just physically.
That being a man is about service and compassion.
That you have to lead by example, not by empty words.
That you need to be your own man; not who you, your parents, your friends, your peers, or your world want you to be.
That the greatest tools in your arsenal when being in community with women are your ears and honesty.
That you can not be a passive man, the world will falter and fall under the leadership of passive men.
That you can not run from tough choices; you must be brave and face them head on, but you don’t have to always face them alone.
That you are a representation of Jesus and the church while abroad; act like it.
That you may feel angry and distant from God, and that this year may be your toughest to say yes to. That’s the choice He gives you.
That your fellow Racers, men and women, are going to see you sick, or in tears, or in grieving, and that is okay. Showing weakness and being vulnerable is a path to true strength.
That just because you’re surrounded by people 24/7 and are doing ministry everyday doesn’t mean you will not struggle with lust.
That if you want freedom from lust and other shame-causing sins, you must bring what’s in the darkness to the light.
That you can’t go anywhere by yourself, and that’s okay; some people do not have the option to have community.
That what you get out of your experience with the Race depends entirely on one person, and that person is not Jesus. It’s YOU.
That you’ll understand being in relationship with God truly is like a marriage. You have to choose to love Him every single day.
That nobody cares how awesome you are or aren’t, so curb your pride and humble your heart. This makes you a man.
That you are not the sum of your past whether it was good or ill; you are the sum of Jesus’s ministry of love, victory, and freedom.
That there is great injustice in the world; there are times when Jesus wants you to fight, and other times to pray. Discern when those times are.
That wisdom is the path to manhood, and you receive wisdom by seeking the Lord in all things.
That the verse says, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength,” for a reason. You must seek the Lord and His love physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
That the Race won’t make you a man, that it won’t solve your problems, that you won’t come out being a “super” Christian, that it is not a “catch all” for your life. It is merely a stepping stone on your journey.
Your story after this is yours. Live it. Love him.
Believe in His promises.
Hope for freedom through Him.
Love Him with everything you have and then love everyone you meet in the same way.
