I have a thing for rings. Shell rings, glass rings, wooden rings, gaudy rings, etc. Not to mention onion rings and ring pops…but that’s a conversation that I don’t feel like having until after the race when I can actually have those things available for me to enjoy. Anywho, I was never really into having things on my fingers. Things on fingers= less words per minute off my typing speed. But since I figured it could double as a self-defense tool (the bulkier the better) I have become quite a fan. Conveniently enough, rings are the ideal collector’s item for a nomad like myself because they are small and light weight, perfect for a World Racer who has neither space nor weight to haul around extra goods. What I was not expecting was that the rings would carry more weight than a simple band around my finger. They would serve as a ministry tool for me to bring the Good News to those who Papa wants to woo. My Philippine ring feels a bit like my first born. Yup, my first born…not like I know what that feels like or anything. But I imagine that’s what it would feel like. First, it holds a special place in my heart because purchasing it led me to my first evangelism experience. WOOP WOO! And secondly, I was caught a little off-guard by it in the sense that I was unprepared to bring the word of God to a jewelry vendor in the middle of a hustlin’ and bustlin’ indoor market. I must admit, it was a bit rough. On top of trying to find “the ring” and tuning into the voice of the Spirit and struggling to translate the words into tagalog, I had to keep an eye out for my teammates who were just about ready to head out. I was, however, able to share with my new friend, Maria, who was Muslim, that there is freedom in Jesus Christ. That Christ loves her for who she is, regardless of whether or not she covers her head or prays at set times during the day. And that she has the free will to choose to have a relationship with Christ. I don’t know where she’s at right now, but I pray that Papa slaps her with the Holy Spirit. Excuse my tacklessness. I just pray that the Lord touches her and uses her as an ambassador of His kingdom…that she may be a beacon of light in her family and in her community of friends. If I could do it all over again, I would buy myself a little more time and be a lot bolder with praying for her and way more intentional about sharing the gospel as opposed to just skimming the surface of the Word. I have no business being luke warm! Papa has placed an urgency in my heart to share the gospel and that’s what I intend to do… with as much fire as I can muster up!! The beauty of my first rock on the Race is that the stone is held in place by a bit of wire, which is bent around so as to also serve as the band itself. There was no glue or soldering involved in the creation of it; simple and innovative. It reminded me of how I am made and seen by Jesus Christ��"fearfully, wonderfully and uniquely handcrafted in His likeness. You and I were made with such intentionality and fervor and ingenuity and Papa wants to show us off to the world for ALLL to see! What a superdeeduper Papa we have! It also assured me that when I make a commitment to God and to the propagation of His love and His word, He will deliver. So long as I make him the cornerstone in my life, that I am aware that He is the only “rock” I truly need, He will use even the most mundane things like collected rings to bring Him glory. Thank you, Papa, for reminding me day in and day out that You, the rock of salvation, are far more precious than any stone or jewelry or accessory in this world. Thank you for, Papa, for being “my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
