Since I finished the World Race, I’ve struggled to write my “last” blog. A blog that summarizes my experience and communicates to my readers about the fullness of my journey. I doubt that is the blog you’ll find here.
I labored to find words that could encompass this year, but I know that is impossible. Encapsulating eleven months in just a few words is a difficult task because there are many soulish experiences that I cannot describe with words. Exasperated, I decided to wait. I waited until the words came.
As I sat with Jesus, He showed me a memory from January.
When I first arrived in Thailand, I struggled with the reality that 24 people continuously surrounded me. We lived in a hostel, and my squad mates were everywhere. I felt like I could not sit with God in the midst of people and truly be myself.
Often, I would sneak to the rooftop and speak with Him there. I worshiped there. I prayed, sang, and danced on that rooftop. I love dancing for the Lord alone. It is an intimate communication with him, and I feel free.
One afternoon, it was drizzling in Thailand. I decided to go to the rooftop. While there, the rain began to pour, and inside of me, I just wanted to dance. So, I put on my headphones and in the midst of the rain, I danced and danced until I was exhausted.
I was dancing for an audience of one, and I felt so free. There were no eyes on me. It was just me and my Jesus. Me and the lover of my soul. Me and the one for whom my soul pants.
No one knew I was up there. I could be naked before the Lord.
And it’s in raw moments like those that I feel at one with my Father. That is a piece of what the World Race gave to me. It allowed me to be freer. To live free and it is in that freedom I continue to live.
The second significant moment of my race also happened near water. I was at an ocean in Durban, South Africa. I stood there and asked the Lord what He wanted from me.
As I walked to my friends, a young woman asked me to take a picture of her at the beach. I snapped the photo, and I heard Holy Spirit tell me to pray for her. She happily accepted, and when I asked what she needed, she said peace for upcoming exams and help in struggles with her boyfriend.
I began to pray with my eyes closed, which I don’t usually do. I finished praying and my eyes opened only to find her weeping. She shared her heart, problems with her relationship, and her struggles. She was astounded that I stopped and prayed for her. She was broken because God had planned this divine moment. That He had seen her.
I loved that she could encounter love. This is the beautiful exchange.
When I think about the Race, I think about those two things: freedom, and the beautiful exchange.
You see, those raindrops and rooftops moments are a deposit in your soul so that you can be part of a beautiful exchange. It is a beautiful story of love that says, “Hey, I am set free, and I am loved. Now, let me take that freedom and love to others.”
Love God. Love People.
It’s not complicated. It’s not hard. It’s not a pressured environment. It’s just love. As Hillsong sings, His love is like a storm. When you dance with Jesus, He just drenches you in it. It just leaks all over you.
There were times I became selfish and lost sight of that. But because my Jesus endlessly pursues my heart, I would hear His voice say, “Come to me.”
Was this a great year? Yes. Is this my greatest year? No. There is more ahead of me.
Thank you to all who supported me. Thank you for thrusting me toward freedom. Thank you for sending me to people. Thank you for investing in the work of the Kingdom, which has everlasting and eternal rewards.
Live free and live light.
Vicky
