Previous World Racers often refer to the World Race as a pressure cooker. This pressure cooker fast tracks my growth as an individual and as a chosen daughter of the one, true King. I’m not going to sugar coat this and tell you that the heat has been a little overwhelming at times, but I left my life where the switch was stuck on “keep warm” and I expect it to get a little hot sometimes. I’ve been stretching and growing at a fast pace, like I always do when I travel, but this time is different. This time I live in a community that hungers for me to grow closer to the lover of my soul, Yahweh Addonai Abba. They call out what can be improved, and they encourage what they see as strengths.
Before the race, I was always scared to be alone. I always said it was because I was an EXTREME extrovert and that I just couldn’t be alone. I had a bad counselor once tell me that it was ok and I should just strive to never be alone. Perhaps it’s because my punishments as a child were often timeouts, and my brain just associates alone time with punishment and shame. Perhaps it’s because of my people-pleasing spirit I’ve wrestled with all my life; all my thoughts formed around what others would think, but once all the people disappear, I had no one to please.
That’s how I used to be.
Now there’s nothing to do but please God in my alone time, and that’s why alone time makes me so happy now! I wake up early every morning, escape to the roof, and spend alone time with my Papa. Anyone who knew the old me in the mornings will already begin to be amazed here. I was not a morning person at home. I wake up before everyone in my room, joyfully get ready for the day, and escape to the roof to spend time in the word and prayer and worship! I love my alone time! I dance, write, read, pray, and learn. Holy Spirit is an amazing teacher if you allow Him to be! Pray for His guidance next time you open your Bible today. I promise you’ll be surprised.
Thank you, God, for spending time with me this morning. On a rooftop in Nepal! Teacher, teach me your ways. May I never stop seeking your counsel and wisdom. Fashion my thoughts after you, O Lord, I wish nothing more than to be like you with your heart to love all, eyes to see the soul, mouth to speak truth, and hands to help the hopeless. I love you, Daddy.
