It was the last day of training camp. My squadmates and I went into the main room to hear from the last speaker. After 10 days experiencing a wide range of emotions, I thought to myself, “What words of wisdom will this last speaker present?” He spoke with passion about what Racers should do between the end of training camp and launch. He offered this advice, “With around 2 months until launch, I want each and every one of you to be excited about the World Race, but at the same time be present and seek God.” “I thought to myself, ‘Be excited? Well that shouldn’t be that hard. I mean, I am about to go travel 11 countries in 11 months!’ It was the second half of advice that I had to further ponder. The speaker elaborated further, “Be present. Do not get so caught up in this adventure that you are about to go on that you completely miss the opportunities to spend time with family, friends, and your Heavenly Father!” In that instance, I had found my motivation for the next 2 months.
After arriving home from training camp, I began to ask God each day, “Lord, what is it that you want me to do today?” His response has been amazing. Each day, I feel more aware, alert, and eager to seize the opportunities that God has placed in my life. I’ve seized opportunities such as getting coffee with a childhood friend, talking about God with a coworker till 3am, and even having sleepovers with my 5-year-old nephew.
To some, these opportunities may not seem all that exciting. But in my eyes, I have never felt so much joy. I thought to myself, ‘Why is that?’ Then I realized, I am just trying to bring glory to God through my life. Life is made up of choices and experiences. Humans acts praxeologically. To act praxeologically means “to act with purpose”. If you are hungry then you will eat food. If you are thirsty then you will get something to drink. Every single choice is a means-ends relationship. In that regard, I have the opportunity to seek God every…single…day/hour/minute/moment.
God chose me! He chose to love me. The best part of it all…he didn’t have to! By living with the understanding that life is a completely undeserved blessing leads to overflowing joy. By living with joy, I am simply doing what I can to show the God of the Universe my complete gratitude for loving and choosing me. God will always love us, but we have to choose every day to love Him. I choose joy.
Ephesians 1:4 “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
With much love,
Spencer
Launch Date: January 10th
