Dear Future Racer,
It’s month 11 of my #11n11 World Race journey. I’ve been to Asia, Africa, Central America, and I’m sitting here in South America in Quito, Ecuador at the cutest little coffee shop as I type. FYI: One of the greatest things about the race are the amazing coffee shops you find yourself in around the world. But that’s neither here nor there lol. I’m sitting here reflecting on what I would like to share with you and hoping that somehow my words might help you and encourage you.
Maybe you are contemplating the race. If you’re anything like me, you are googling the heck out of it seeing what this is all about, getting a glimpse and trying to discern if this is something you really want to do or not. Perhaps fundraising is overwhelming to you and you think to yourself “There’s no possible way I can do this.” Maybe you are second guessing if you are even ready and equipped for something like this.
You are. I promise you.
Maybe you have committed to the race and you want to see what you are in for. You want to be able to get some kind of insight into what the 11 months is going to be like for you. You will have no idea; legit no idea as to how amazing it will be. You can read as many blogs as you want but your world race journey is just that, YOUR journey! It can be as amazing as you want it to be. What you put into it, is exactly what you are going to get out of it.
So this blog is for the contemplator and the committed.
There are 3 key things I want you to ask yourself??
My first question is, are you prepared to leave the old ____________ (insert your name here) behind?? Because you are not going to be the same person as when you left, it’s just a fact.
Ephesians 4:22-24
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
I’ve gone about this whole year with the heart posture of extending my arms out to the Lord asking him to “create a new thing” and it’s been such a beautiful progression to see throughout my race.
Reflect on the heart of your contemplation or your commitment. Why are you even thinking about this or why have you committed? Are you thinking “Wow, I get to travel and see the world, sign me up?” I will tell you right now, you are going to have your mind blown because it’s about so soooo much more than that.
Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Or is your heart to bring kingdom here on earth? Are you aching to restore hope to the hopeless? Love the people the world has deemed unloveable? To preach the gospel and share the good news? To fulfill the great commission? Are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the calling? If your answer is yes, then I unequivocally say DO IT!!!
A huge part of the World Race experience is realizing the community you are signing up for. It’s unlike anything you will ever experience.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
It’s an 11 month journey of continually dying to self for the sake of others. Are you willing to do that? I have been with the same 36 amazing people for almost a year. It’s hard, so very hard, like can’t even explain it hard. But it pushes you to a new level of loving that you just won’t get until you experience it for yourself. It’s a community that’s sacred and no one else will get what I’ve been through this last year like these 36 people will and there’s something so poignant about that.
So future racer, if you can wholeheartedly sign the contract we all had to sign, committing to each other and ourselves our best YES to all of the above. Get ready for a year that is going to change you from the inside out.
Much love!!!
Lauren (O-Squad 5th generation)
