Hey, I wanted to write this blog specifically to those contemplating doing the race. But as I am thinking, this can really be for anyone who wants to get more out of life.
One of the most powerful tools you have and need to make sure you use on the race (& life) is: P E R S P E C T I V E.
I’m gonna be real, the race probably isn’t like what you think it is in your head. Being here, doing this is way different (at least it was for me) than what I pictured. I remember before signing up for the race and even after I got accepted, I would look at as many blogs being posted by racers out on the field as I could. Trying to gain some idea of what I was about to get into. I tried not to have any expectations- just wanted some idea of the unknown I was walking into. And I’ll just say, you can do that but you will have your own experience with the race and it will be exactly what you need, the journey Jesus intends for YOU to have.
The race is such a wild, raw, beautiful, challenging, exciting, fun adventure but it’s also hard! It get’s hard in the way of being out here, things get pulled out of you, you miss home, you’re out of your norm, things come up, you’re challenged. And while you’re changing, growing & being challenged, you still have to show up every day and do ministry, do work. Show up for your team. Because this is your job for 11 months, showing up and serving people, helping people. But you find new perspectives when it get’s hard and it’s such a game changer! It’s like replacing the air freshener in your car! haha!
Last month in Vietnam was hard for me in the sense that I started dealing with some stuff that I never did before and it caused me to lose perspective. My why. I got so caught up with how I was feeling, I forgot why I was out here doing this. This month in Cambodia God has given me such new perspective. THIS IS LIFE. When you chase after your dreams & something bigger than yourself, it’s gonna get hard. Just because you’re doing something you love, doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. But that’s the point. “The harder the climb, the sweeter the summit” -Mark Batterson
When things get uncomfortable/hard, and they will, you let yourself feel it and you push through! Find a new perspective. Because on the other side of the challenge- is life. I am getting to see so many incredible things and do so many things I never even dreamed of doing. But you know what, if I never trusted Jesus & embraced the unknown, I wouldn’t be experiencing this life. I’ve never felt so alive in my life. I’ve never felt so aware of what I’m going through, feeling & doing.
I read something that helped me with this perspective. It’s out of a devotional called “Yellow Balloon”:
“The world is an ineffable place filled with majesty and tragedy alike. If we want to perceive it for all it is worth, we must go out into it. Look with honesty at our relationships, our institutions, and our own lives. Photographs are nice but there is more out here. We settle too often. Fight for understanding. Allow yourself to be challenged with humility. The reward is a clearer image of the truth of our world. Clarity informs our choice and actions. It changes things”.
So I guess what I am trying to say is this: The unknown is scary. Doing the race is one big unknown of what you’ll be walking into. Life is one big unknown. But go after it and take Jesus with you. Don’t leave him out of it, for the love of God don’t haha!
There is so much out here that needs to be seen & experienced. Life is too short not to. I know I am only coming to an end of month 5 and soon to begin month 6 but I am learning so many things that I wouldn’t of in my comfort back home in Tulsa. Let Jesus have a chance to show you what truly living is like, I promise you won’t regret it.
If we only do things in our ability, how can you truly feel alive? Rather I feel most alive when I am living a life where I am constantly in awe of what God is doing and how being here, doing this(whatever it is), is possible.
Alright so yeah, that’s all for now! Till next time!
Much love, T.
