11 countries and 11 months
Team-time
Feedback
Unity
Racer
Missionary
Team Leader
Community
We LOVE labels. We love to define ourselves according to our circumstances.
I am _________.
I am a student.
I am a graduate.
I am a mother.
I am a father.
I am single.
I am married.
I am a runner.
I am slow.
I am selfish.
I am joyful.
The moment we gave our yes to the World Race, we became a Racer.
I capitalize the word. For some reason it seems wrong not to. I am not just any old racer, I am a capital R-Racer. Proper noun. It's a matter of importance. It's an identity to hold onto.
Now we are coming up on month 11 and we are realizing that we are not going to be Racers for much longer. I can't call myself that anymore. I can say, “I was a Racer,” but who wants to be defined in the past tense?
Team time, Feedback, Community- all of these big World Race proper nouns we have been taught and participated in for the last 10 months are questioned.
“That's just not real life…”
“1 more month and I won't have to do that anymore.”
“What's the point now?”
Amnesia sets in… was it worth it? Would you do it over again if you knew?
My question is, isn't HE worth it?
Every single time I say this, my eyes well up with tears.
ISN'T HE WORTH IT??
Isn't every tear worth it? Isn't every dull/exciting moment worth it? Isn't every interaction, person, conversation and bus ride worth it? Isn't every frustrating, irritating, bug bitten, end of your rope, puking, sweaty, not ANOTHER bowl of rice moment worth it?
And won't it be worth it to stay present for the next month?
We have forgotten who we are and where we have come from.
Because after all, its not just one month we need to be present for.
This is our entire life we are talking about.
Because if I can't be content NOW… who am I to think everything will be perfect when I get home?
Home is just a place-just another season.
If I waste this last month in anticipation for getting back home so I can lay on my couch and watch movies for a week, then I am missing the point entirely.
Racers, whether you are leaving now to go on the Race, or about to come home, whether you are an alumni or in the middle of month 5, your call is STILL the same.
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. TO this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
-Colossians 1:28-29
I hate to break it to you but you are not a Racer. You are not a team member, team leader or squad leader. You are not a coach or a coordinator. That's not your identity. It never was.
You are loved.
You are chosen.
You are in Christ.
You are the Beloved.
You are a son or a daughter.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.
-Colossians 1:15-17
