I’m sure you’d like to know…
What happens to a person when the go on an amazing life changing journey…
BUT then comes home?
What happens to them?
Did they actually change?
Or was it all just temporary?
Hear my words. Everything has changed! I hope, it will never be the same again.
The World Race gave me the opportunity to see what God was doing through so many amazing different organizations, churches and people. I got to love people. I got to pray with people who were in desperate times. I got to laugh with people who appeared to have nothing, yet knew great joy. I was given kisses and hugs by children and ladies everywhere. I was exposed to lice, fleas, typhoid, and who knows what else. But more importantly I lived in intentional community, with my teams and those we worked alongside. I was shown love, I was accepted, and I was extended grace…and vice versa.
And at the end of the day, I was different.
So now I’m home. And some days I don’t feel different.
But here’s how my life has changed:
Number 1: I am not battling depression. Before I even started the World Race Journey of fundraising, preparation, launching, and leaving home behind I had started to unravel more of the lies that had led to my depression. I had battled with depression off and on since my early teens. I listened to a lot of lies about who I was and most of these lies started to seep into my consciousness when I was a kid. I knew they were lies. But I would keep letting them seep in. Lies like “I’m not good enough”, “I’m not wanted”, “I am alone”, “People just put up with me, they don’t really like me”, etc….I could go on. But the Lord used the Race to help be recognize these lies BEFORE they lead me down the road to depression. So instead of beating myself up…I recognize the lie and claim the truth. I walk in who I am in Christ. And in Christ there is no room for depression. [Also, I recognize that some people battle depression related to chemical imbalances and their experience may be very different from my mental health. We all have different journeys with mental health and this has been mine.]
Number 2: I experienced who God is and how tangible He changes people’s lives. Often times we don’t recognize it here in North America. We’re often too wrapped up in ourselves to recognize how God is impacting our lives. When everything is stripped away…you see His face, you experience Him, and you are changed. I realize this description isn’t tangible…but getting to know the love of God in a deeper way changes EVERYTHING.
Number 3: I didn’t just catch a travel bug. Yes I love to travel still. Yes I love to experience new places. Instead of a travel bug…I caught a desire to be actively involved in bringing the Kingdom of God. NO, you don’t need to GO to do this…although that is where some of us are called. The opportunity to pray for someone and see a physical change in them; to see peace where fear was, to see joy where hurt was, and hear how they have been changed is priceless. God literally changes people’s lives and we can be actively involved in that! How cool is that?
Number 4: I learned that I can be connected to people from afar. It sucks. AND IT’S HARD. But it’s possible. Not only have I learned that while on the Race, but being home, away from my Race family.
Number 5: Sometimes the mundane is beautiful. It is in the daily tasks that you bond with your teammates, that you can tangible serve others, and it’s in those task that can make you feel the most at home. Being home, the mundane things are…still mundane! But that’s okay with me.
Number 6: I am not going back to pre-Race Mary. I will not forget who I am in Christ. I want to walk out His plan for me. I strive to seek His heart. I desire to rest in His presence.
Number 7: I eat milk and wheat whenever I want. [I was lactose intolerant & wheat sensitive pre-World Race. Jesus heals.]
So to answer the question:
“What happens to a person when the go on an amazing
life changing journey BUT then comes home?”
If you let it, the journey changes everything!
Nothing looks or feels the same.
And, I hope, I will never be the same.
Thank you for reading my blog and walking this crazy journey of faith with me. It’s not about the World Race or Kingdom Journey…it’s about recklessly pursuing God and loving people with everything you are.
If you’d like to support me financially in this upcoming season of ministry, contact me, select HERE or the “support me” link at the top of this page! Your financial and prayer support is so appreciated and valued.
