Here we are, entering month eight of the race. So much has happened. As I have written in many of my other blogs, I have been changed from the inside out. With this change has come a revelation of God’s calling on my life.
As you know, with the end of the race approaching, many of us are making plans for our “next.” Some of us have everything planned to a “t.” Others have NO clue, while still others, much like myself, have heard their call, yet don’t know exactly how to get there. Whichever position we find ourselves in, we are ALL at a pivotal point in our lives, getting ready to enter into a new season. And we want to be ready. We want to know how we are going to get where we are going, or maybe we just want to know where our next paycheck is coming from so that we can pay our bills.
Even more, we’ve been gone over 200 days and a good number of us are homesick. Most of us would do anything for a warm shower, our own bed, and a meal from Chic-fil-a. Some of us are struggling with being away from our friends and family. Understandable, right?
Right.
But like I said, there has been a lot of focus on home–what we miss about it, how we are going to get there, and what we are doing once we arrive. And quite honestly, I think this has led to a great amount of dissatisfaction.
Something our leadership has consistently told us throughout the course of this trip is that we need to remain present. And they’re right; focusing too much on the future is just as harmful as dwelling on the past. We do need to “be all here.” And yes, we should do everything for the glory of God and choose joy in all circumstances. These things are biblical–
Colossians 3:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 if you were wondering.
But I’m also pretty sure that we’re tired of hearing people say these things.
Maybe that’s because we’ve tried to have joy, we’ve tried to give thanks in all circumstances, and do everything for the glory, and we’ve found that it’s difficult. Maybe it’s for another reason; but either way, I understand. I used to be in the same spot. I used to strive and even fight hard for joy, but to no avail, because I allowed the past to rule over me. And after my striving didn’t work, I got bitter.
The key word here is allow.
I think we have been allowing the enemy to consume our thoughts and our emotions, to overwhelm us–whether that be with homesickness, worry about our futures, or something else. Maybe that something else is bitterness or unforgiveness.
You see, the reason why my fight for joy wasn’t working, the reason why I got bitter, was because I was not fighting in the power and authority that Christ has given us. I believe that is the same reason why some of our fighting isn’t working. We are not acting out in the POWER and AUTHORITY of Christ. If we are truly living in these things, if we allow ourselves to be filled, then we cannot fail, we have victory over the enemy!
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”Colossians 1:13
And so, I want to challenge you, my dearest squad-mates: instead of just living in the present, let us begin to live in the PRESENCE, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us up with everything that He is. Let us take hold of the power and authority He has given us, living as sons and daughters of the King!!! Let’s stop trying to live on an empty tank. We can’t just run on fumes anymore. When we start living in the Presence, we start fighting in the Authority of Christ instead of fighting in our own strength. And that is what is going to get us through the next four months–not just get through, but THRIVE. We need to be FILLED to be able to be make it home. Otherwise we might just break down on the side of the road…and what good are we then?
Much love,
Lacey
