It's about 2 months since I have been accepted to go on the Race and every day that passes, I get more and more excited! Everything about the Race excites me from the opportunity to show God's love to people across the world to making new friends and becoming like family with them to traveling and experiencing different cultures and seeing God's amazing creation to watching Him grow me and develop a heart that beats more with His (at least I hope to say that by the end of it all). I received my passport about a month ago, have seen financial support come in, started the process of getting all my vaccinations, and will soon hopefully begin thinking about what equipment I will need to bring along (I've kind of been procrastinating on that for a bit). Anways you can say that I'm completely stoked about going on the Race and it's taken up a lot of my time, prayers, and thought life these past couple of months.
But I wonder if the Race has been so much at the forefront of my life that I've kind of lost sight of where God has me now. Now I'm not saying that preparing for the Race is bad or that it shouldn't be a major topic in my life right now as it is a year-long ministry that will potentially change my life. I want to be lifting it up in prayer and talking with people about it and spend time preparing for it.
But at the same time, I also am realizing that it shouldn't be the only thing in my life. I have a roommate who I want/need to continually be accountable with and pour into our relationship. I have friends who I should encourage and spend time with as we go through our summers and prepare for another semester of school/ministry on campus. I have co-workers, classmates, and sub-letters who I should establish and build relationships with and show them the love of Christ. I have a family back home who I should support and be there for. All these things are areas in my life right now as well.
But rather than seeking to devote time and prayers to those areas, I so often choose the Race instead since that's more important (to me at least). I mean, it deals with me the most, it's something that can glorify God, and it excites/scares me the most as January comes ever so closer. No matter how I justify it though, it's still a very selfish act on my part.
One of the verses that has been on my mind a lot the past couple weeks is Matt. 5:13-16 where it talks about being the salt and light of the world. It's been a helpful image to me as I think about the Race and what I want this year of ministry to look like. I want my life to shine for all to see and influence the world for good so that others may glorify my Father in heaven. But that doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) only for the Race. It's what God calls me to as a follower of Christ no matter where I am.
Right now: Madison, WI.
As I reflect on my summer so far, I have to admit that I haven't really lived as the salt or light. When I hang out with friends, rather than seeking to build up our friendships, I often think about how can I bring up the Race and see if they'll support me. When I talk with my roommate, rather than seeking to encourage him, I'm only really devoted to the conversation if it's about how my life/the Race has been going. And as far as showing the love of Christ to all people in my life, I've kind of been holding off on that and waiting for the Race to begin.
But who am I to choose when to be salty or when to let God's light shine through me? The light and salt that I've been given, is meant to be used at all times. As the verse says, "you don't light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand so that it gives light to the whole house." In the same way, Jesus didn't give me a light that was to be saved for a specific purpose, but rather was meant to shine always.
And so this past week, I've really sought to understand what it looks like to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" here in Madison. I've tried spending more time with my friends and seeking to encourage and I've tried to reach out to others who may have questions about my faith. I don't want to stop thinking and praying for the Race, but I do want to make room for what God has planned for me right now. Afterall, I have God's light right now; it's meant to shine right now.
