How the World Race Changed My Life

     Let me start by sharing what the Race has taught me about the Cave, the Table, and the Road; the key ingredients of how to look like Jesus, which I’ve continued to learn about and walk through throughout the Race. 

     The Cave is our intimate time with the Father. Making it a part of our daily routine to be alone in His presence, talk with Him, and get filled by and listen to the Spirit. Jesus spent intentional alone time with the Lord. Let’s look at Matthew after Jesus had a busy day of healing people and then fed 5,000 men: 

     Matthew 14:23 

After sending them (his disciples) home, he went up to the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 

     Starting my day alone, in the presence of Jesus, just makes my whole day so much more joyful. I am so much more healthier and feel more equipped to do God’s will for me. If we make time to really talk with Him, lay down our troubles, or rejoice on what He has blessed us with or what He has brought us through, how can we not have a pretty epic day? He carries everything for us so we don’t have to, but we also have to remember that He is also worth the praise.
     
     The Table is the community that we surround ourselves with, and the people that we invite. Whether it’s sitting at the dinner table to eat, or enjoying each other’s company, etc. It’s a time to spend together, ask questions, start conversations. It’s where we all come together as the body of Christ and just share what’s going on in each other’s lives. It’s also a time to invite new comers to join as well. Jesus didn’t decide to feast with the most ideal of guests either; He dined with tax collectors and people who I probably wouldn’t be seen conversing with. How crazy is that?  

     Luke 22, during the Last Supper, is a great example of how important being at the table was for Jesus. Jesus was about to be crucified and decided to spend His last moments feasting with people and showing how much He loved them and cared for them. 

     Being at the Table, whether it’s with my team or with people I just met on the Road, has just been a beautiful time to see how God is moving in each other’s lives. It’s an opportune moment to see how we can be praying for each other as well. It has made the Race so much more enjoyable to intentionally spend time with the community that I’m in. Sure, sometimes it’s very uncomfortable for me to step outside of my comfort zone and put myself out there, but if I stopped doing that, I wouldn’t leave my host feeling as encouraged and fired up as I should.

     The Road is literally what we are doing here on the Race and what we should be doing in our daily lives back home, within our community. It’s a commitment to do what the Lord has called us to do; to GO. Whether it’s going on a mission trip, or even starting in your own home, it’s finding time in your routine to show and share God’s love and truth. John 6:22-59 is a great example of how Jesus taught others of how to have eternal life. 

John 6:38-40

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.

     The Road is probably the hardest thing for me. On the Road, God will ask you to step outside of your comfort zone, be interruptible, and to have complete faith in Him. There have been so many moments where I’ve feared rejection, and embarrassment. However, overcoming those lies of the enemy has lead me to share the love and light of Jesus Christ to those in need of Him. It has been so worth it to step into uncomfortability, and to trust that I am planting seeds. I know that God has used me, and is still using me, for His will.

     On the Race, I have built this deep connection with Jesus. Now, I think of Him as a friend. I am aware of the things that I need to change when I go back home. I am so much more equipped to do His will properly. I now know how important it is to start ministry in my own home, in my own community. Guys, I smell more like Jesus, and the aroma is the sweetest gift a girl could ask for. Without the Race… well, let’s just say I don’t want to know the person I’d be without this blessing. Praise the Lord.