In college,God used an English professor to change my heart in a way that reminds me of missionaries that have left the race early or are disappointed with their experience on the field. I dropped out of her class because I thought the she was putting to much emphasis on her class for people who weren’t majoring in her particular field. My exact words were “she thinks this is the most important class on my schedule and It is not!” Yes, I know that was neither Christlike nor prudent. To make a long story short, she showed me grace and God worked in my heart. I apologized for the rude comment and she invited me to take another of her classes the next semester in which WE earned a “B” What’s the lesson? I was a 21 year old college freshman jerk and I had to learn to be responsible for me. In the end, Her teaching had equal impact on me as any Bible teacher I’ve known. My attitude could have ruined my chance to learn an invaluable lesson. The following are some of the ways Ive seen racers blame others for their disappointment on their race. I pray they will help you find deeper joy in Gods sovereignty over all situations.
1. Honor your leadership. ALWAYS!!!!!
Jesus wasn’t emotionally invested in all the pieces of the plan God had for Him. He even told His father outright that he didn’t want to do it. However, when the plan didn’t change, He didn’t belittle and undermine the plan or the planner. Instead, Give feedback and be ok with living in disagreement with authority. Disagreement doesn’t mean dissension. In the same way, Walking away doesn’t mean running away. Either way, Don’t try to punish your leaders with your reaction. In the end, prayers of blessing and words of Godly encouragement will do far more to help you and them.
Luke 22:42 … “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
2. Expectations are OK!!!
Simply put, expect God to do WHATEVER He wants. Don’t imagine there is anything that God won’t ask you for. Don’t imagine that God won’t allow your race to be the slowest ministry year of your life if you are trying to hide from personal growth. Don’t imagine that acquiring the title “missionary” makes that particular sin that you are hiding from disappear. So yes, if you aren’t happy with brokeness and surrender, you can “Expect” to be miserable until you are.
Job 34:14-15 If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
3. You are an adult when you choose to act like it.
It’s no ones job to make you happy with contacts, teams, leaders, countries, modes of travel, weather, accommodations, days off, food, or anything else. You signed up for abandonment. Let it go. If God is walking you through that process and it’s a struggle, share it with your team. Its likely they already know and want to encourage you.
Hebrews 5:12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. NLT
4. Stop using life before and after the Race as excuses during the Race.
I’ve heard it from both sides. “This isn’t real life, why should I buy in?” and “This is still my life, why can’t I …? I did it at home” Yes, it is real life. Check your pulse and your blog, you made a choice to be here. Why not follow through with that choice and turn the particular beauty of this season into a reality for the next. On the other side, Nope, its actually not your life. Ask God why this thing means so much to you. Scripture shows clear pictures of idolater aggressively defending their idols and those who are focused on Christ willingly laying down all their rights. What do you need to release to Gods care?
James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance.
The Race is a different kind of hard for all different kinds of people. I wish you could know me and my heart for you even though I may never meet you. For me personally, its so much easier to look in your eyes and help you know why these things are important but this blog is the best I’ve got. I only “figured out” these things though some really heavy grace over a long period of time. You should know that I believe in The Race and its truly God appointed purpose. Im also still a Racer. At times, Ive been hurt by the shortcomings of my leaders, the unforeseeable struggles of a growing program, and some easily foreseeable problems that just fell through the cracks. I also experienced some deep hurt as a leader from some of my closest friends on the race simply because I was a team leader. I love this Race and I love you, Racer. It may take time for you to know what all this means because it is definitely a process, but put it in the back of your mind. You’ll remember one day. You don’t have to know every counterfeit if you are well acquainted with the real thing.
