t’s official, I’m on the mission field in Costa Rica! As I start this new season I can’t help but look back with gratitude on my time in Georgia. I learned and grew so much while I was there and I can’t wait to put it all into practice here and continue growing.
It’s impossible to fit everything I learned into a blog so I’m going to share some truths I learned in Georgia that I’m holding close to my heart this season. Truths that I need to keep handy and plan to pull out often. They’re what I’m going to keep in my heart’s backpack, ready to be used to cut down any fear, doubt, or lies of the enemy.
Truth #1 : NOTHING I COULD EVER DO WILL CHANGE THE LORD’S GREAT LOVE FOR ME
This was a pretty new concept to me when I started the race. I’d always believed that God’s love was something I had to earn, it was conditional and based on the way I lived my life and what I did for the Lord. Now I know that my worthiness of love was settled at the cross and Jesus decided that I am worthy and nothing can change that.
Truth #2 : JESUS WILL NEVER ASK ME TO DO ANYTHING HE DIDN’T DO
As a world racer who is asked to do uncomfortable and hard things all the time, this truth is incredibly comforting to me. Sharing the gospel with strangers, being vulnerable, praying over people, and unwavering obedience is still a scary thing to me. But Jesus, while being God, was also fully human. He could do all those things, and I know that as a human with the Holy Spirit inside of me, I can too.
Truth #3 : GOD CAN REVEAL HIMSELF IN ANY SITUATION
Before the World Race, God’s place in my life was inside a pretty small box. I’d really only spend time with Him in the morning during devotionals or right before bed, but it was always a time that I had to set aside. And that’s not how communion with the Lord works. I’d always known that God was always with me and can speak into my life at any time, but the race taught me that the Lord is a gentleman who wants an invitation. Now I know that no matter what I’m doing, whether it’s going on a run, painting, or doing ministry, whatever it is, I can invite God to speak into that space or ask Him what He wants to teach me, and in that, He will show up.
Truth #4 : GRACE WILL SEE ME BEFORE CONDEMNATION CAN FIND ME
As I’ve said before, I’m a huge perfectionist, and it’s easy for me to get caught up in my shortcomings. But being in Georgia taught me that God doesn’t even care about those things. He chooses to look at me as His beautiful and perfect daughter no matter what I do or don’t do. He has no condemnation for me, just endless grace and love. And all I have to do is choose into that.
So these are what I’m choosing to carry in my heart’s backpack. What are you carrying in yours? If it’s self-condemnation, or fear, or legalism, or even just the junk that accumulates at the bottom, maybe it’s time to clean that backpack out and make room for the Lord’s truth.
