So it’s been awhile since I last wrote a blog. It’s also been six months since I left the race; and those six months were incredible. God was SO present in and through every day of my life post-race and gave me so many opportunities to share His love and story to the people I met up with. In Canada, America, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, He showed me that no matter where I was and no matter whether I was part of a organization or not, He can STILL use me and He is STILL present.
Now that I’m back home, I’ve found myself fighting to not seep back into the person I was two years ago. Spending time with my family in Tassie, I saw myself returning to the bad habits, prideful attitude and defensive reactions I had before I left on my trip. But why? Why was I doing this? Have I not changed? I found myself asking myself these questions every time I had stupid argument with my sister or made a negative comment towards her. And every night, I found myself praying to God to forgive me, asking Him to help me love her better. However, the next day I would find myself back to square one and I didn’t know what to do.
Speaking to my parents about it, having time to process over it and spending more time with God has helped me understand that despite me going on this amazing journey over the past two years, I still had so much to learn. I know God did reveal and free me from a lot of things that were holding me back from the person He had intended for me to become during my time away. However, I also acknowledge now that God is still working in my life and hasn’t finished with me yet. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”
Although my two-year adventure around the world has ended, my journey with God continues. Today I re-begin to treasure this time I get to be back home with family and friends during this wonderful season of Christmas and re-welcome and be joyful for every opportunity God allows for me to grow during this time.
To those of you who have felt similar experiences with me, I want to encourage you and say that God is still working in your life. He’s still pursuing you, desiring you to become the person you were meant to be and persevering to develop you into someone who is mature, complete and not lacking in anything. Be excited for that day.
