I finally did it! I finished a Triathlon this weekend. For the past five years I have been disappointed with myself when year after year that new-year’s resolution lost its footing and fizzled away….yet again. But I realized that all the delay in its fulfillment has actually turned out perfectly. I’m always amazed at how God works and knows just how it all should come together and when. This instance was no different. So during training over the last month or so, I thought about the training that is going into the big ‘race’ I will take off on in June. I think they call it a race to remind the participants that it is temporary; that there is a finish line at the end of the 11 months when you land back home. I have my pack, a sleeping bag, a tent and some underwear that dries super fast. I have a few details to work out yet, but it’s happening and I am going in just 120 days. But beyond the quick-drying, indestructible underwear and travel-size Bible, am I ready? Am I prepared for the endurance needed for the race ahead?
I didn’t feel one hundred percent prepared for this triathlon. As it got to be the week of the race, I thought about all the days I could have pushed harder or done more at the gym. Especially on the bike. Not my favorite. So the day before, I was praying for some kind of incentive to keep me going when I inevitably knew I would hit a wall; nothing came. The only motivation I had was I just didn’t want to look like an idiot or walk. I wanted to finish and finish well. Then I opened my account on Adventures in Missions to see how fundraising was looking this week and WOW!!!!! I am beyond amazed at the outpouring of financial support from friends and family. And I felt God saying, “Do it for them. Finish this race and run it well for the people I have put in your life who have been running along-side you all this time. I go with you into challenges and I send people to come along side you in them as well. Do it for them as you remember also that in every breath, I am with you.”
Talk about assurance!! And on the day of, my dear friend Michelle came to encourage me throughout the whole thing. I didn’t want a lot of people to bear witness to the purple face that becomes me when even one bead of sweat appears. It’s not pretty people. And as I came up on lap 4 during the run, I felt the wall coming. My legs were getting tired and the song playing had me in a lull, so I took a breath and started seeing all the faces who have supported my trip; all those who have financially supported me, those who have committed to pray for my team and I, and those who have blessed me with encouragement beyond words. I remembered the faces of my friends and family who have been with me through some of my hardest days and I thought about the challenges ahead, and then! I caught a second wind. And as I breathed, I felt peace and assurance as I fell into a good pace…and also numbness from the waist down. So I came up on lap 9: one left to go. And I don’t know why, but I decided to break out in stride and finished the last lap the fastest. I will run this race and I will finish it well. For in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. “I will give it all because He gave it all for me…”
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so.” (Amos 3:3)
My prayer and hope is that you will walk along in this race with me as I do my best to bring each place to you through this blog. I will also try to post information about how you can get involved through my team and I and the organization we are working with to continue to provide hope to those around the world that we see in need, because there will still be needs after we leave. My prayer is that as we see more of the different struggles all over the world together and the impact we can have, that it will simultaneously work as a catalyst to encourage us all to walk in boldness, wherever our feet are planted. It isn’t just one who makes a difference, it is one person next to another…with another…and so on. Together we will be a light.
As I have faith He will go with me as I leave in June, I also get to rest in comfort knowing He will be here with all my loved ones; walking with them and continuing with them all on their own beautiful journeys. We are united in the love of Christ, despite geography. There are so many incredible life events happening around me right now; babies being born (literally 5 I know in May alone!), anniversaries being counted, books being published, birthdays being celebrated, houses being bought. Laughter and joy surround me. I have gotten to walk alongside so many incredible people. This life is so beautiful. But I am also at odds despite all the nostalgia. I am in a place of ever increasing joy and contentment knowing the path I am on is purposed, but I am also downcast knowing I will soon leave this place. Everyone’s lives will continue on their own paths and we will all grow in grace. Beautiful grace. And the sorrowful hearts at the distance between us is also what unites us and at the same time draws us closer to Him: “He is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Ps 34:18)
He calls us to be ready always; to live in the world but be not of it; to hold onto things loosely; and to seek Him in all things. That includes all seasons of life and all the places they take us. But, life should always be lived this way. I walk around taking deeper breaths and weighing down moments by being ALL in them; so much more grateful for this moment and living inside of thanks. I am learning to embrace the mourning part of this journey, respecting the growth it brings and replacing the sorrow with thanks and joy.
We wake up each day conquerors of light over darkness because of Christ. Let us walk in that assurance! (insert Rocky theme song here for effect)
