Hey everyone! I’m sitting on my couch back home in Maryland, writing this blog. Although I’m hoping to write some more blogs soon, reflecting on the race, this one will stand as the marker of our official return from our trip on the field.
We finished ministry in Thailand two weeks ago, then travelled down to Hua Hin to do an adventure week as a squad. We spent 65 hours, 19 minutes, and 7 seconds in travel to North Carolina, where we had our final debrief as a squad. We got to hang out, debrief our last teams, see our alumni squad leaders who left us in Albania (they passed off the torch to our raised up SQLs), have our last worship together, share final words, had final teachings from our squad mentor and coaches, and graduated – we’re now alumni racers!
Now that I’ve recapped, on to the point of this blog! How the World Race changed my life: A Far From Comprehensive List…
- God is satisfied with nothing less than full and complete healing and wholeness for us. He is in the patient and meticulous process of refining us and sanctifying us. He gets down in the dirt, cleans us up, binds up our wounds. But we also have to let Him close to us to do His healing work. And we also have to be patient with the process. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 - You can’t want freedom and salvation for someone more than they want it for themselves. Nor can you walk out someone’s faith for them. Watching others run away, fall away, stumble, or make bad decisions is painfully hard – but maybe in that pain we comprehend some of how God feels towards all of us. And may it compel us to prayer!
- God is God and God is good, regardless of our circumstances or feelings. Whatever you go through, God is still seated on the throne; He still upholds you with His righteous right hand; He still walks with you, guides you, empowers you with His Holy Spirit; the blood of Christ still covers you; your identity as His child still remains unchanged. Whatever God allows is for your greatest good and His glory, and sometimes our greatest good leads us down a painful path. But this isn’t a path unfamiliar to God; Jesus hung on the cross for us, and God said it was good.
- Discerning the spirits is important. Knowing God’s voice verses lies in your head is of tremendous importance. You have the mind of Christ! So sift every thought through Him. You don’t have to believe and wear every word that is spoken over you, nor do you have to believe every thought in your head. “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
2 Corinthians 10:5 - It’s important to do continuous heart checks. Read through 1 Corinthians 13 and see what you do well and what you don’t. Do you want, seek, and believe the best about others?
- Go low with others. Walk slowly. Linger longer. Love and give generously without seeking anything in return.
- You can’t carry others burdens for them. The weight is too heavy, and it will crush you. All you can do is love them and point them to Christ who can. The greatest gift you can give is to share the hope of Christ with them. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 - Intercession and Prayer is a core part of the Christian walk, and essential for effective ministry.
- Lead from the back. Empower and lift others into their callings and giftings. Discipleship is needed in every church body and is mandated by scripture. You’ve led well when you can step back and the work continues.
- When you’re overwhelmed by the darkness around you, maybe God is asking you to be the light.
- No amount of hardship or suffering makes pursuing the one any less worth it.
- God loves me and you. Not because of who we are or what we can do, but just because He created us to be loved by Him. Sit frequently in the stillness and peace of His presence. We have proximity to our Father through Christ!
So, what’s next? I will be home visiting family and friends, resting, and reflecting for a bit. Then I’m headed back down to Gainesville on August 20th to train to lead a Semesters trip for three months to the Dominican Republic!
