There and Back Again 

This past year has been a beautiful journey with the Lord. My time on the Race was difficult, emotional, and exhausting. But it was also life-giving, restoring, and joy-filled. God used this trip to draw me closer to Him. I experienced community like never before. I encountered a different side of missions. Most importantly - I developed a deep intimacy with the Father that rejuvenated my life. 

Here are some of the things I learned: 

Community 

• This year, I learned so much about community. I learned how to do life with a small group of people, literally 24/7. As a group, we learned how to encourage and challenge one another.  We learned that no matter our differences, we were united through His love. We lived out the church daily. We worshiped together, prayed together, laughed together, and cried together. I’m in awe of what God showed me through the little family/church He created this year. 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 ~

Mission 

• This year I had the opportunity to experience different countries and cultures in a new way. It was beautiful to be a part of His Kingdom in so many different places. I saw people of different cultures and backgrounds united through His love. A motto we had on our squad was 'ministry is life and life is ministry’. We don’t have to be in another country to be part of missions, it’s everywhere. I want to make life my ministry. I want to be interruptible, allowing the Lord to lead and direct my path. I want to use my passion for different people and cultures to build His Kingdom.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:28 ~

Intimacy

• I spent the first half of my Race running. I didn’t even know I was running. But I was. Running from His love and His comfort. I avoided pain so much that I didn’t even know I was hurting. But the Lord was waiting patiently to gather me in His arms. In finding intimacy with Him, my joy and peace are restored. My identity is restored. Now my relationship with the Father is deeper, sweeter. 

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. ~ Jeremiah 31:3 ~ 

God used the Race as a tool to bring me the freedom and healing I didn’t know I needed. 

So today I pray, that for those of you who are holding on to past hurts, feeling disconnected from the Father, feeling isolated from community, that you have the courage to trust Him with your hurt. I pray that you open your heart to receive this perfect love from the Father. If you feel tired, frustrated, lonely - the Lord wants to take it all. He wants to carry the weight so that you don’t have to.

The Creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with you. He cares for you & loves you deeply, beyond all understanding. 

These are just some of the things the Lord taught me this year. It’s encouraging to look back and see the growth. I hope it encourages you as well. ♥ 

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. - Isaiah 58:11 

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