This time last week I was heading down to my favorite place on Earth: Camp Sumatanga. I went down there for this thing called an Emmaus Walk. Now, the Emmaus community is super secretive *wink* so I can’t talk about too much on here, but I will tell you this: an Emmaus Walk is 72 hours filled with learning about God’s grace, seeing the Body of Christ serve like it’s intended to, and experiencing unconditional love from a group of complete strangers. You eat a lot, sing a lot, and for something called a “walk” you sit a whole lot.
I could tell you about how my original walk changed my life. I could tell you countless stories of how it’s shaped the local church in my community. I could even tell you about how I decided I would spend my free time last weekend hiking up a mountain alone, in the dark, without a cell phone for 2 hours and how I lost the trail on the way back. (The view was so worth it!)
But what I want to share is the cannon the team would read before every meeting. For three Saturdays, the workers of this walk that I served on met up at ridiculous o’clock in the morning to fellowship. And to start it off we would read something to keep our hearts and minds focused on the real reason we were there.
I replaced “Emmaus Walk” with “The World Race” and “Three days” for “Eleven months” and I think it applies perfectly to what this World Race, and my attitude towards it should be.
“I am a member of a World Race squad. I am only one part of a complete being!
I am an imperfect earthen vessel, and I am here in a servant’s role!
I will serve in humility and gratitude for the opportunity to be here,
And will remember that the Holy Spirit calls for my love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control in all things!
I will pray for submission to the Spirit, and for strength and commitment to be God’s person, rather than my own person, during these eleven months.
I will remember that I am here only as an instrument through which God can work to renew His church.
I am here only by God’s grace. I am here only so that He might work His mighty acts through me – not because of me!
I will lift up other members of the team and candidates in prayer and ask our Lord to strengthen them and reveal Himself to them in new and wondrous ways!
I will not over-state or over-emphasize my role during these eleven months by word or deed.
I will not glorify myself; I will not glorify any other member of this team, nor allow another to glorify me.
I will use “I” as little as possible during these eleven months.
And will remember that all others are the main reason for my presence and my prayers!
I will remember at all times that I am less important than any other person these eleven months.
Whatever passions and excitements seize me, I will express through joyful praise to the Father, my Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit!
I will give God all the glory for anything and everything that occurs these eleven months.
I will raise my voice only in praise to Him, and will bow my head in reverence and submission to Him.
I am only a servant, but God can use me more powerfully in this role than in any other that I might choose!
I am an imperfect vessel, and am blessed to be here as a servant!
I am a member of a World Race squad; in all things during these eleven months, I will pray, “Not I, but Christ.”
In all things, I will accept and be obedient to the authority and discipline under which I serve.
I have no authority.
I have no responsibility except to be obedient to the Church,
And totally responsive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.”
DeColores! (May all the colors of God’s love shine upon you!)
