The World Race... Round 2.

I've done this before.

I contacted supporters, filled out my online profile, talked to my bank, and adjusted my insurance policies.

I went to training camp, met new squadmates, and heard the vision.

I boarded that first flight, arrived at our first ministry location, and learned to live with a small group team 24/7.

I've done this before.

But it wasn't like this. This... this is different.

This time I struggled to fundraise, missed logistical deadlines, and stressed over what to pack.

This time I cried through training camp, left group meals early, and had a hard time engaging with seminar content.

This time I wasn't sure how to respond when people asked if I was ready or excited to leave... because I usually wasn't either one of those things.

This time... this time it's been harder. Harder to say "Yes" to what I believe the Lord is inviting me into.

There is a different cost for me in it. That's true. And in many ways, that cost feels more difficult to pay; but I believe He has something for me in this season that far outweighs all of the struggle and all of the difficulty that I've met in the process of opening up my hands to him and saying...

"Yes Jesus, I will go.

I will go when I feel like I'm breaking. I will go when I don't understand. I will go when I feel terrified. I will go when I feel overwhelmed.

I will go."

For I won't give Him something that cost me nothing. David understood that. When he came to a place where he wanted to pour out offerings to the Lord, but he held nothing in his hands, he bought a place to worship and the offerings he desired to do so. He didn't take the freebies that were offered him by the local landowner. He didn't want to turn around and offer those things to the Lord that he had acquired at no personal cost. He gave of what he had to worship the Lord. (2 Samuel 24:18-25)

Although the worship of saying "Yes" to the Lord can be costly, the Lord offers us priceless things in return. As for me, in this season, He's giving me himself. He's speaking light and life into me in new ways. He's showing me both His delight in me and His provision. He's meeting me in the middle of my brokenness, and He's redeeming me.

This... this is different because it's beautiful in a way that Round 1 never was.

Thank the Lord!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3)

Amen.