“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rivals…”
Intense training requires intense motivation, hardcore music, and ultimate faith (all 3 I lack in some way). The song says it all and describes life at the moment. I am in a space where I am being forced to be disciplined and actively pursuing something that still seems like a dream.
The eye of tiger relates to a picture of God’s eye on me this whole time. He’s watching us all with His eye, which may also translate into a picture of Aslan, who happens to be cousins with the tiger.
The thrill of the fight is my process of training, trusting in something unseen to our naked eye, and active sacrifice. For the adrenaline junkies, the thrill of this preparation is in the moments when God speaks to me. The way my heart races when I accomplish something that seems impossible in daily strength training, or when I hear the news that someone else took interest in my cause and donated. The pleasant surprise that occurs when people offer me training advice, free gear, and words of encouragement. The thrill was never gone (BB King reference), it was always here. I must ponder over the daily adrenaline and thrills to recognize EVERY good thing comes from above.
Let us collectively rise, challenging the rivals of the heavens, the force unseen that is the prince of this world. All of you who have helped me through this journey have joined forces with me in standing up against the enemy, the rivals of defeat and purposelessness. We are all a team in my journey to the World Race, and will continue to be when I leave. We are a circle of friends, prayer warriors, people of God humbling ourselves to search for peace and encourage the greater good. Because of our spiritual bond, no realm of fear can stop God’s work with my squad. I am so happy you are on this journey with me!
Speaking of which, can we park for a moment and praise God that I have raised $10,447 thus far?! Don’t ask me how it happened. All I know is he continues to call people to meet my needs. I want to end this training update by saying all of the ways the Lord has met my needs in the month of March, including a story of my latest encounter with His goodness.
- He has helped me reach Goal #2/4.
- He has given me a tent, a sleeping bag, and multiple gear needs.
Story time of Him meeting one of my biggest needs this month:
It was a Sunday. I was walking into a Sunday school class to speak about the World Race. My phone call with my AIM Mobilizer two days prior left me worried, terrified, and unsure if God was going to keep me on the October route. I was not able to meet with a mentor recently and without that connection, there was a chance I would be going on a different route. Little did I know there was an angel sitting in the room, a woman about my height who reminded me so much of my mother. She has been helping with international disaster relief since 2010 and gave me tons of advice while speaking. The thought popped into my head “she is my mentor.” Turns out, God gave her the same inclination. We talked on the phone as she offered me her old gear and tons of advice. At the end of the conversation she gave me the golden statement “I wanted to talk to you about being your mentor.” After that conversation, I walked in my house and sat among friends, shocked. Words were not forming.
You see, this idea has been hindering me. I have not given my all to the Lord when it comes to time with Him. I barely journal and I barely read my Bible. I feel shame and stress because of this. While developing a relationship with God matters to Him, I continue to learn how fiercely He loves and gives even when I don’t do it back. I hurt Him all the time and I deny Him and His work DAILY. But He holds out His hand in remembrance of me, in pursuit of me. I don’t know about you my dear reader, but when someone hurts me I stop pursuing them, even though their actions scream the love and pursuit they need. God doesn’t set boundaries against us because He doesn’t need them. He is the author of love and forgiveness and His love KNOWS NO BOUNDS. This is CRAZY. WHAT. I don’t know about you friend, but I need boundaries. I crave them sometimes. It’s amazing to me that God is so holy and pure, that He doesn’t need the same kind of boundaries I do. Love is a choice that God loves to make.
There is still much preparation to be done! With all of that being said, I still need to practice being in the Word, daily prayer, and a dose of silence in my day. There are more ways you can help and more gear needs to be met in this process, and I know my Father will call people to meet those needs. Through these challenges of trust, I am learning thankfulness is present when I choose to see it and it can be seen in ALL of God’s creation. Thank you everyone for your prayers help, and commitment to coming alongside me for this journey. TRAINING CAMP IS 65 DAYS AWAY.
Challenging our rivals with Love,
Murbs
