It’s 1:30 am and I am currently on a night bus heading from Bangkok, Thailand, to Phuket Thailand, to start month 6 of the world race. The bus is quiet as the night lights and sights pass by outside. For the first time on public transport-my heart is at peace.
JJ Hellers song “Yours Hands” is coming through my headphones. It is a song I’ve heard before but in this moment it is clicking with me in a new way. It begins by saying “I have unanswered prayers. I have trouble I wish wasn’t there. I have asked a thousand ways that you would take my pain away. I am trying to understand how to walk this weary land. Make straight the paths of crooked lie oh Lord before these feet of mine. When my world is shaking heaven stands. When my heart is breaking I never leave your hands.”
Hands have always been something that have fascinated me. Take a moment and look at your hands. Look specifically at your finger tips. Did you know that no other human who has ever walked this earth- or who ever will, will have the same finger print?!? Your print is forever, uniquely yours, THAT is just a small example of how intimately you were made by the Creator. Can you feel His love upon you?!
As we enter month 6 of the world race, the realization that the squads who launched this past July (R squad included) are now the oldest squads on field. We are also the next squads to go home.
Where has time gone?!?
As I lie here and ponder this, I can’t help but look at my hands and reflect on the last 5 months of my life. My eyes have seen parts of creation I’ve never thought I’d see. My feet have walked on the soil of countries I thought they’d never touch. They have been in bodies of water that I have only heard about but never would have imagined to be in
My own unique hands have embraced more people (strangers included) in hugs than ever have before. They have pulled me up mountains, swam in oceans, braced me from falling, due to my back pack (more than once I might add!), high fived more then I ever thought possible. They’ve pulled pranks on teammates and squadmates that shall remain anonymous. They have left notes, small gifts and encouragements here and there. They have typed out blogs, edited photos, hugged kids, used to teach lessons in school, send emails, they have purchased gifts to send home, and, of course, the daily things of getting ready, eating and every and anything else that may come up.
My hands have been raised above my head in praise to God, time and time again. They have been clenched in a fist, out of pain, and they have questioned the injustice that my eyes just saw.
Ultimately, I cannot keep track the amount of times that my head has been bowed and my hands folded, in prayer, to my Lord and King.
In the last 5 months, I have done things, seen and experienced more things than most people do in a lifetime.
But at the end of the day, none of that matters.
It doesn’t matter how many oceans I’ve swam in, or how many countries are stamped into my passport. It doesn’t matter how many mountains I’ve climbed or blogs I’ve written. Pictures become irrelevant and things sent home are just that- they are just “things”.
What matters most, is that at the end of the day, my hands are still raised despite the “junk” of the day. My hands still need to be in that constant form of Holy Devoted Prayer to my Lord and King.
After all, it wasn’t my hands that had nails pierced through them. It wasn’t mine, that blood gushed out of, as the nails pierced them. It wasn’t my arms that were stretched out on a cross to bear the weight of the worlds sin on my shoulders. It wasn’t my body that took the beatings.
It wasn’t my voice that said “IT IS FINISHED” and breathed its last.
As we go into month 6 my prayer is that I will be able to remember this daily. As you go into the holiday season at home, remember the baby born in a stable. Allow that to be your focus, not the gifts under the tree or the decorations, music, food or anything else that is of this world.
As you look at your hands everyday and as you use them, don’t forget to use them to love and serve those around you.
Jesus came to use His hands to serve. We are called to be like Jesus and trust me, you don’t have to be on the world race to love people. Love them where you are.
So what are you waiting for?!
Open up your hands. Lift them high to the heavens in praise, prayer and love.
Allow Jesus to love you, as you learn to love others. Place your hands in His. No matter what your going through in this moment, you are safe in your Creator’s hands. That’s the best (and safest) spot to be in.
On a fundraising note: our final deadline is coming up at the end of the month. Through Jesus’ grace and provision, I’ve been fully funded for a while. However teammate ls and squadmates of mine, are not. This Christmas season, my challenge to you is to help support me by helping out my friends. Go to their blogs, read their stories and be a part of God’s kingdom work around the world, through them. I’ve been able to see first hand, how these people love and serve. They’ve opened up their hearts and hands, to the world around them and lives have been changed.
It’s worth it. It’s worth every penny.
Their blogs are listed below and follow their blog as there will be a link giving you further directions
Amberbundrick.theworldrace.org
Kianaryan.theworldrace.org
Erincostello.theworldrace.org
Marieolson.theworldrace.org
Kayleestoops.theworldrace.org
Lindsayvansparrentak.org
Ericahuntsman.theworldrace.org
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THAILAND!!
