(Here is a blog I wrote a few days ago)
I know I talk a lot and sometimes people might want me to play the silent game for a little ha-ha!
But that’s not what I won’t be silent about.
I won’t be silent about the goodness and the fun side of God.
So on the World Race- I’ve gotten to see and do some incredible things that I only dreamed of doing. The race has been a fair share of beautiful moments but also really hard ones too and some hard work some months. But going back to the incredible adventures and things we’ve gotten to do along the way- that’s what I want to talk about for a moment. Back a few months ago in Vietnam, me and my team were talking about how we feel a little guilty posting about the fun stuff we are getting to do. We don’t want people to think they supported us to come on a fun vacation. Because it sure isn’t a vacation ahha. But it got me thinking, WHY NOT post about it? Why not talk about it?! Why not brag on Jesus?! When I was talking with Him about this, this is what I felt him say:
“Tay, people forget this part of my character. They don’t think I want them to experience the greater things in life. They don’t think I want them to enjoy this life and what it has to offer. But that is my heart. I so desire them to E N J O Y my creation, I made it for them. I feel much joy when you are in awe of my creation and experiencing exciting things! “
And I felt him assure me that He knew what I was giving up & sacrificing when I said “Yes” to this unknown adventure of 11 months. He see’s the hard parts and I believe He likes to bless me for taking this step of faith. Just like a parent- you like/want to reward your kid when they do something you’re so proud of. You want to celebrate them. That’s how I felt Jesus was feeling. That he was so proud of me for saying yes and doing this thing despite my fears- so of course He wants to give me good things because of it.
And THAT’S the heart of God. When you take leaps of faith, trusting him, letting go of what you know even if it’s scary- He is incredibly proud because He understands the sacrifice- And so he delights in rewarding you. And that’s not to say we should do these things for a reward. But rather it’s a GIFT. The blessings are just a result of the overflow of God’s love for us and how he is proud of us when we follow him, wherever that leads you.
So my encouragement + challenge to you, if Jesus is calling you to something and it scares you- DO IT. Trust Him. Because it’s going to take you where you never imagined you’d be. Doing things you never imagined you’d do. You don’t have to have every next step figured out and even yourself figured out to do it. And the road won’t always be easy. Heck, if me and everyone on my squad needed to have done everything perfect to be able to be here doing this, none of us would be here. You won’t do everything perfect or make every perfect correct decision. And that’s OK. Start somewhere. And it begins at the feet of Jesus where grace & a radical reckless pure love is found
So I won’t feel guilty bragging on Jesus because I want people to know this characteristic of his. For people to know His heart. And please don’t mistake this, I could not of gotten myself here on my own. The glory goes to God & his goodness. The Bible even says that He came to give us life and life abundantly. (John 10:10).
JESUS LIKES TO HAVE FUN.
Oh and something else that’s cool and how I can see how God is aligning things. So if you know me, you know I’m goofy. I like to have fun. But for a long time I didn’t fully embrace it because I knew because I liked to have fun and be silly, some people thought I lacked depth or that I could take things seriously. But I have depth, I actually value it very much- I don’t like surface level friendships & relationships. When I stepped into a leadership role and was asked to lead my new team on the race- I felt inadequate and that there were plenty fit to lead. And that’s the thing, anyone on my squad can lead. I didn’t think I could lead because I didn’t think people would take me seriously.
Then cool things started to happen and Jesus began removing this lie I was believing. So here on the World Race, there’s a culture of “Feedback”. It’s where we get together intentionally and give each other feedback on encouraging each other and where we see their strengths. But we also try and give constructive feedback to call each other higher. Because let’s be honest, we all have blind spots and we are messy humans! And that’s ok! Sooooo anyway, me and my new team did super feedback (where we intentionally call each other higher) and a lot of what my team said was that I do such a great job at balancing the line between depth and fun. That I am good at looking at something and saying “Ok, how can we make that fun?”. And that I just help people have fun and see that characteristic of God and to not always take things so seriously. I’d also have friends when they’d be praying for me, often tell me they see me and Jesus having fun in some field and laughing. It’s a common thing I am told. And THEN my friend Rachel texted me today and was praying for me and in what she wrote she felt God was saying that God created me for His joy. Like what!? And so even before the Race, God was having me on this journey of really embracing my goofy side and that even if I didn’t make others laugh or have fun- I made myself laugh and even better- I make God laugh. Soooo yeah.
How neat is that?! That God would use the community around me to help confirm something I wasn’t sure what to do with. Because I thought my “goofiness” most of the time became more of a burden for some. But in reality- it’s the way God made me and very much a part of who I am. And I love it & am grateful for it. Hopefully none of this comes off as prideful because that’s not my heart behind it. I’m just sharing this to encourage you that I’m on this self discovery journey and becoming more of who God has made me to be and it’s GOOD to love it. If you can’t love yourself, how can you love others? Just the other night our squad mentor talked a little about how it’s okay to know who you are and be proud of it.
Anyway Imma end it here before I go on and on haha! Thanks for reading!
Much love, T.
