This month, I’ve been wrecked by Donald Miller’s book, Scary Close. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it! It’s all about breaking out of your false self, coming into your true identity, and living that out in confidence.
One of my favorite quotes from this book:
The more fully we live into ourselves, the more impact we will have. Acting may get us the applause we want, but taking a risk on being ourselves is the only path towards true intimacy. And true intimacy, the exchange of affection between two people who are not lying, is transforming.
After reading that chapter, I had a mini freak out moment and asked myself: Who even am I?? What do I like?! What even is my true self?!?
This book made me realize that sometimes it’s easy for me to just go along with what other people do, think the way that they think, and never really take a moment to think about what really makes me come alive. Writing this list gave me confidence in the unique passions that The Lord has given me, and it’s encouraged me to walk in these passions more confidently. It’s given me freedom to know myself better and invite other people into that freedom. So, I’d like to share some of the things that I wrote down!
Hi I’m Mikayla. I love a good laugh, good music, a nice craft brew, random coffee shops, and good friends who love Jesus. When all of those things are combined on a weekend road trip….wow, those are some of my happiest moments.
I love traveling and meeting people and hearing their stories. One of my favorite memories was when my sister and I hiked 30 miles of the Appalachian trail and got to meet a bunch of crazy hippie backpackers. One specific night, we met 4 dudes at our campsite who we hung out with that whole night and hiked with part of the next day. We got to hear their stories and even got to pray for them! They’re not believers, but they were so open to prayer because we had taken the time to genuinely love them and hear their stories. I LOVE moments like that.
I love going on random, silly adventures and not having life too planned out. Adventures like finding a random hole in the wall restaurant or a local forest preserve or some hidden gem coffee shop. One day here in Bolivia, our ministry host told us that we were going to a waterfall. Our expectations were very low considering we’re in the middle of nowhere and this isn’t exactly a tourist destination. But DANG we were all blown out of the water (literally) by how beautiful the whole day was! We drove for an hour through the most beautiful mountains and then hiked to see the biggest waterfall I’ve ever seen in my life. And the coolest part was that it was so unexpected. A big waterfall that God has hidden away in the middle of nowhere Bolivia, where not many people will ever venture to see. Imagine how many other cool sights He’s hidden all over the world!!!
the waterfall was seriously mesmerizing at the bottom!!
I like learning, I like growing, I like challenging myself to try new things and push my limits. I love going on runs in the middle of nowhere cornfields or hiking with my friends through a random state park. Once I trained for a marathon and would run 10 miles off campus into the middle of the cornfields, where I could look out for miles and miles into the rolling hills of Illinois. I would listen to worship music and just praise God the whole time I was running. Some days, me and my mentor would run out there together and straight fellowship together. Those are moments that I cherish—being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of a crowded town and spend quiet moments with The Father. Being in the midst of His nature only to realize how small I am and how majestic He is—the Creator of the Universe.
good ole Illinois cornfields!!
I love missions. I love living life on a mission for Jesus no matter where I’m at. The Race has taught me that while being in other countries and playing with orphans or teaching English is beneficial, we can spread the love of Jesus literally anywhere. In the future, I hope to live in another country, doing full-time mission work because it’s my passion. But in this next season after the race, I’m excited to continue living out my life for Jesus no matter where I’m at or what I’m doing. Because our life is a mission field!!!
5 of the gals I got to teach this month!
So yeah, that’s a little about me and the things that I love. I want to encourage you to make a list of the things that make you come alive! Because figuring out those things will help you start to break down that false self, give you confidence to be who God created you to be, and live into the unique passions that He gave you!!! Individually, He gave us all different passions SO THAT when we come together as one body, we can make all the difference.
What makes you come alive?? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Xoxo,
Mikayla
