Ive been praying with God a lot lately, internally as I walk through my day. I continue to think about the World Race and whats in store for the world and I; and lately I’ve had this feeling of uneasiness or restlessness, there’s something I’m missing. I read a handful of blogs and hear what other racers and missionaries are doing in the field, it’s so awesome and exciting to see all the positive work that is happening around the world and the celebration of the victories God is accomplishing through these people; I feel like it sets the bar high, these become my expectations. I cant wait to see what God will do through me, all the families helped, and children, houses built, etc. It’s attractive thinking about these accomplishments. There’s so much that can be done by God with racers and people around the world going into the mission field. Then I sat back this morning, reading these blogs, and it struck me; and I’ll tell you in just a minute.
Right now I’m coaching the High School Guys Basketball Team, we’re on an 8 game winning streak, 1st in District, 9W-2L. These guys are busting their butts, practicing hard, enduring long drives through the snow, and they’re persevering till the very last second of the game when the buzzer rings. It’s exciting to win, rewarding! These kids are understanding that the more you whole heartedly put yourself into something, the more rewarding it can be. Yet, are they merely defined by wether or not they win? We talk about how sports help us build character, what that means and how it looks. The other day we played a game against a team that really got under their skin. We ended up winning, but the guys lost their composure over and over, it was a serious struggle. During half time I had a talk with them and we went over that it doesn’t matter what the other team does, or says, or the refs do or don’t; what mattered most was how we reacted to it and that we keep a respectable attitude.
It’s the same in life. We get so passionate and excited about all the great expectations we have, and sometimes we realize that it will be difficult to achieve, but we don’t internalize it. We forget to internalize that there will be downfalls and failures. We go through tough times and cry out “Why me God, why do things never go right?” When we go through tough times, our circumstances may feel overwhelming, but God is growing us and building character. We have to go through trial and error to learn and it doesn’t mean it will ever be easy, but when we stop learning and start running away from difficult things we start failing ourselves. We are human, we will never be able to avoid failure, we have to grow from it. Win or lose, never giving up is the real accomplishment.
More to the point, my expectations for this trip include all the great and exciting possibilities put in front of me, but I also need to be prepared and excited for all the difficulties. The difficulties in life are what help me grow and understand, they help define and shape who I am. In all honesty, I should be more excited for the difficulties.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
Again, thank you sincerely for reading my blog, I appreciate it. I hope in some way these words help you today. If you haven’t already, consider subscribing to my blog for updates or supporting me to go on this trip.
In Love
