Currently, I am sitting in the Atlanta Airport to go to Ukraine. It seems like I have been waiting for this moment forever. But at the same time, it is surreal that it is happening. We will be hanging out in the airport for around 12 hours before we board our flight, which means there is plenty of time to reflect on what I want to get out of the World Race. To be completely honest, through this next period in my life, I want to risk everything.
I want to risk everything that I have worked for in my life. I want to risk every relationship that I have. I want to risk everything that I think I have planned out for my future. I want to risk all my dreams, hopes, and fears. I want to risk everything in order to build the kingdom.
During a session at launch, one of the speakers made a statement that truly resonated with me. “Jesus costs nothing. Christ costs everything.” I don’t want to just KNOW Jesus. I want to be so madly IN LOVE with Christ, that I would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for His glory.
My team was challenged to create a THERE (a place that is our end goal, not for just the Race, but for life) and WHY (what is the reason that we want to do this, and what is going to keep us going). After lots of thoughts and prayer, here it is….
Fight, protect, and honor to selflessly seek the highest good.
How are we going to do this? We will be as soldiers for Christ by standing for, kneeling with, and walking besides ourselves, our teammates, and everyone we come into contact with. By building community that mirrors what it will be like in Heaven. By being intentional with ourselves and our teammates from the start to build stronger relationships so that we can radiate the love of the Father.
That seems like a lot. It also kind of sounds militaristic. But, that is what God calls us to do every day. Wake up and be willing to fight for the development of His Kingdom. To take up our cross and fight for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:11-17
So here is to the next 11 months, and more importantly the rest of my life, where I will risk it all to fight for the Kingdom.
As always, I invite you to make my journey, your journey. Here are three simple ways:
- The most important, PRAY.
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Random, but here is a small video from Launch, that the storyleaders put together. Enjoy!
