Dear Pre-Race Shannon,
It’s your last day on The World Race.
After 6 years of dreaming, you finally did it.
I wish I could tell you how it feels…but there are too many emotions to put into words.
I just read your letter.
My gosh you are wise.
You have so much to offer.
You know more about our Father than you think you do.
Trust that.
Be bold in that.
I can see how scared you were.
But also how prepared you were.
You couldn’t see it yet.
You didn’t know what you knew.
But I remember the moment when it clicks.
The moment you realize that the Lord loves you immeasurably more than you can imagine.
The moment you realize you’ve understood His heart way more than you thought you did.
The moment you began to explore what it means to freely walk in your identity.
You did things right this year.
Please don’t let yourself overthink and be too critical.
I know you said you don’t want me to be nervous.
Still, I worry about what people will think when I come home.
But now I know that my
value
worth
identity
is not in the thoughts of other people,
it’s in the heart of God.
There are so many things you’ll learn this year.
But don’t worry about trying to figure them all out at once.
They come when you’re ready.
And, trust me, I’m still learning even though this is all over.
So here’s my advice:
Be a friend.
You have learned the immense value of friendship and living in a biblical community.
Say the hard things
[in love]
And be ready to hear the hard things and act in obedience.
I promise, it creates something deeper than you’ve ever known before.
Be intimate.
You have experienced intimacy with your Maker, and the way it changes your whole world.
You have found your true identity and are confident in who he created you to be.
Look to him, and he’ll show you who you are.
Be disciplined.
You have spent so much time in the Word.
THAT was so crucial.
Get excited for the incredible lessons and revelations he’ll teach you through his Book.
And when he’s quiet and it feels like you’ll never hear him again,
Be patient. Be obedient.
He will flood your life with his presence in a way you could never have imagined.
Be a visionary.
Set goals.
Achieve goals.
Encourage everyone else
[seriously, everyone]
to do the same.
Be a leader.
Even when it looks different than you expect.
You don’t need a title.
But oh man did Team Leading shape your final 3 months.
Don’t rush it…leadership comes when you’re ready.
And trust me, you’re ready when it comes.
BE FREE.
This will define your year.
I’m hoping it will define my life.
Be uncomfortable.
Seek growth and challenge always.
But don’t worry, when you get comfortable with being uncomfortable, one of your teammates will fix that for you.
Speak truth.
Be bold in your convictions.
But be sure to have the truth of scripture to back you up.
And remember that love has to come first.
Love is always worth the risk.
So do it.
As I pack my big pack one final time, I’m still working through hard things with the Lord.
[That’s the thing…it doesn’t ever get easier…but it gets so much sweeter]
I’ve given everything and nothing less this year.
But now it’s time to figure out if I’m ready to receive everything and nothing less.
I have a good, good father who gives good, good gifts.
But am I ready to wait?
Am I ready to be patient?
Am I ready to give up what I have planned and receive the best that God has?
I don’t know.
But I want to be.
The World Race no longer scares me.
Life at home does.
And Shannon, be brave, because it’s time to be afraid again.
