The World Race is a place for growth, but that grow for me hasn’t been in my talents. I have used them, but they have definitely not been the main focus of the year. However, there are skills that God has developed, tested, and refined in me, that I will use for the rest of life. God has taken characteristics of me that are important and take zero talent to do, and has pushed (at times forced) me to study them in my life. Here are a few:
Being on time:
American culture is driven by being “on time” or not. It is frowned upon to be late and miss scheduled events. Other cultures don’t see things quite the same way. Most of the countries I have been in are people-driven, not time-driven. If others are late for something, it is simply expected. As a punctual person, that has been difficult. I often find that I have to wait for others. At this point in Month Eight, although I still like to be slightly early for things, I have become much more comfortable with waiting for others. Sitting for 30 extra minutes during the day no longer makes me as uneasy as before the Race.
Work ethic:
Some of the cultures and hosts we have met simply do not work as hard as the general American public. Here in Macedonia frequent breaks are expected and encouraged. Working is seen as a chance to meet and talk with people. I’ve come to realize that a “good work ethic” as I know it in America is very different than the same term in other cultures. Here one is considered to have “good work ethic” if one takes just as much interest (if not more) in the people as the work.
Body language:
This is a key skill when I don’t know the local language. Non-verbal communicate is essential to getting across the point of a conversation. Sending the wrong body language can quickly change the course of a conversation. This is also the case for all of life, not just in cross-cultural settings, but cross-brain situations.
Energy:
Having energy is easier said that done. 11 months is a long time to do traveling ministry and there are just days when I am so tired I don’t want to leave my bed. This week we are helping with a short-term group made of four different cultures, and the schedule is a bit long (and confusing) each day. It’s hard to do ministry for 6-7 hours a day, spend another 3-4 hours in adventure and fellowship, and then have evening sessions for an hour, only to get up at 04:00 the next day again. Sometimes the only thing one can do is pray hard for energy through out the day. God’s supernatural energy is the only way some days, and I’ve learned a new level of energy I didn’t know I had. Thankfully for us, most of the afternoon and evening activities are optional, but they are so interesting that sometimes my personal choices make sleep come late at night.
Attitude:
Attitude is key on the Race, and in life. A negative attitude will cause everyone around me to either move away, not spend time with me, or become negative like me. A positive attitude can uplift and change the thoughts of everyone around me. A early wake up time can be hard, but a smile and laughter mixed with it, will brighten the day for everyone around me. Although this week has shown who can handle a lot of joy and smiles in the morning, and who needs a little more time to wake up…
Passion:
Okay, honesty point: I have found it extremely hard to be passionate about anything this month. Everyone I have met that did the World Race in the past has said that months six through eight were the hardest. That has been true so far. Passion to love people and do ministry is hard to come by when one has been changing ministries every four-ish weeks. Sometimes, like this month, it changes every day. Anyway, every day needs to be a new prayer, a new request for a passion of love people and work unconditionally for God. It’s not easy, but it is what God needs us to do. He was so passionate about us that he died, and then rose from the dead. Now that he isn’t walking as a physical being on earth anymore, he needs us to be his hands and feet, giving out his love and passion to the world.
Being Coachable:
Yes. Yes. Yes. Without the Coachable attitude, my way is always the right way, even if those trying to teach me are from the culture in which I am currently living. They have lived here their entire lives; I’ve been here for a month. Don’t they know a few more things about the culture than I do? Just saying. Always have an open mind about learning a least one new thing and changing the way we have always done things in life. I’m not in America anymore. I need to learn to live in my new culture.
Doing extra:
The second mile, the shirt off my back, and the little pocket change I have. That’s the extra God needs. Jesus says it outright. If someone takes advantage of me and wants something from me they don’t deserve, I should give it to them, and add a little extra to it. As World Racers, as people of God, our job is to be as Christ is. As I said earlier, he gave his life. Shouldn’t we give that extra portion of ourselves?
Being prepared:
Okay, we all know we can’t be prepared for everything. Really? What if we could be prepared for everything? I think we can be. God will always prepare me for each moment if I let him. A one-minute prayer can go a long way. God will never leave me nor forsake me. He will never let me go. He will always be in step with me, as long as I stay in step with him. That means I will always be ready for what comes, no matter what, as long as I reach for more of him every day.
All of these skills take zero talent. I don’t need to be more skilled in one than another. God will mold them as he sees fit. That is something the World Race has taught me, getting me ready for each new moment in life.
#GodIsInControl #redefiningdisciple
#THIRD
