Second Time is the Charm?

I’ve found myself sitting at the Hartsfield Jackson international airport with two trusty backpacks, one big, to carry my 5 changes of clothing and a tent, and one small, for a passport, my Bible, and my favorite hoodie. In my head is an attempt to rationalize the things going on around me- socially, politically, and relationally. And in my heart is a mixture of heartbreak, tension, confusion, joy, hope, and a whole lot of certainty of who God is and who my fears belong to. In my pocket is a one way ticket to Guatemala, and I leave today, joined by 30 other young people who know & love Jesus. 

Many of you know that I was on the mission field with Adventures in Missions on the World Race from January to March of 2020 and was sent home 9 months earlier than planned due to the unprecedented risks of Covid-19. I spent the rest of 2020 soaking up family time, packing up my car to adventure in Creation stateside, and reflecting on the immeasurable blessings God has put in my life. I think it goes without saying that this past year has brought up some really hard things in our lives. The world as we know it has been turned upside down- the ‘normal’ life we were accustomed to is a thing of the past. 

Look at the life Jesus led. It wasn’t safe, conventional, or ‘normal’ in any sense of the term. Jesus is great at showing up and breaking the protocols we set for ourselves. Here’s a good question: do we really want things BACK to the way they were? Is our old ‘normal’ good?

I’ll tell you what’s not very normal: leaving the country to further the Kingdom in a global pandemic with very little knowledge of what’s coming next. Or putting all of our hope and trust in a God we can’t physically lay our eyes on in this side of heaven. And not only believing what the Word of God says, but actually trying to radically pursue how it says to lead our lives. Laying aside the noise, packing up a big ole backpack, and flying to Guatemala to see what the “Go” command is all about is risky business. Call me crazy, but I’m not so sure I want comfortable or normal. I want radical, wild, adventure-filled pursuit of the sweeter sound. I’ve noticed that it’s one thing to KNOW He’s real and another to SEE Him come alive on earth as it is in heaven. 

I really can’t express how grateful I am for the support system that’s come around me since the beginning of preparing for the World Race well over a year ago. I’ve been wrestling with how and when and if I should return to finish what I started with the Race, and have really had to choose dependence on His plans over anything. I’ve shown up this round with a cautious and tender heart, leaping in faith despite the uncertainty. Here’s to hoping that second time’s the charm, but knowing that if not, He is still good. 

“My greatest fear is not failing, but succeeding at the things that don’t really matter.” -Francis Chan