B squad launched on their 11 month, 11 country journey on January 13th, 2020.
The returned back to the States, 2 months 4 days later, on March 17th, 2020.
We had a debrief on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
For all returning Racers, I want to tell you His story in our lives.
He is the master Author. There is a song that says “Though this season doesn’t tell my story.”
I would like to say it does. This season tells your story.
Mark Hodge told us recently that “Every season leads to harvest.” Like it might not look like it in winter, but it all belongs.
This season tells our story that is leading to the harvest.
God’s not shocked. He isn’t confused. He called us all to an 11 month journey together. This is just an ultimate plot twist. A surprise party, if you will.
Imagine a dad telling his daughter “Let’s jump in the car! I have a surprise for you!!” The daughter doesn’t even hesitate. She jumps in the back of the car. Straps in. And gazes out the window in awe of all her dad could have planned. She thought it was a school day. She thought it would be grilled cheese for lunch. She thought it was homework tonight. But now, with the wind blowing in her hair, eyes wide open, they’re going to uncharted territory.
However, we could be the son/daughter who has the same story and yet, we’re like “Daaaaaaddddddddddd, I wanted to hang out with my friends! I wanted to go ice skating. I had this amazing lunch planned.” Arms crossed in the back seat, fuming, and glaring at dad’s eyes in the rear view. “Dad, are we there yet?”
Catch me being that 1st daughter.
I’ve always said “God’s interruptions write the best stories.”
So, we are worshipping virtually with the whole squad. Erica, our squad leader, led worship from her keyboard in her bedroom, singing a song she wrote and another song.
Then the encouragements to each other flow.
Check em’ out: (paraphrased in TT language)
We had two months on the field. It takes 2 months to change a habit. You learned how to have intimacy with the Lord. Take this home.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
One Racer recounted God’s tract record exactly a year ago when plans didn’t happen as she planned and God came through. She’s full of hope because she knows His tract record. What He brought her was so much better than what was taken. A double portion.
One talked about a block they had in their room set up, ready to look at when she returned home. It said “Upheld.” She looked up the definition and upheld means to “support something questioned.”
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
2 Kings 6:1-7 to not lose your cutting edge….(The next morning I took that passage to my quiet time and GOD BLEW MY MIND with that story.)
He is the father of lights. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” >>> then Romans 13: 11-12 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. >>> then Exodus 10:21-23 21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. 23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.
^This part blew my mind. He is the Father of lights. You wear the armor of light. The armor is to protect you from the enemy. YOUR LIGHT, JESUS IN YOU, is what will protect you from the evil one. Doesn’t matter how dark the darkness is, like in our global crisis of anxiety….it can be felt….but God’s people can be in the light.
We need to have radical faith.
Each season has a purpose channeled to the HARVEST!!!!! lezzzzzzzzgo. More abundant fruit. Pruning is painful because there is still life in those branches. Those branches might have “life” like a man dying on life support, but they need to go. It hurts, but it is for the harvest.
You gotta do 2 things. !. Remain in the Vine (John 15) and 2. Let go of everything. Don’t hold to anything too tightly.
Exodus 4. What’s in your hand? Moses was surprised by the power God had already placed in his hand. That staff that later would separate the sea and DELIVER A NATION! His rod and staff comfort us in the valley….from Psalm 23. 2 Cor 10:4 These weapons are not of this world.
Keep pressing in, even if what you are getting out is not what you expected.
What mark will you leave in history from the Corona Virus? This will go down in history. It will be a highlight reel. What impact will I have?
This is His-story.
Highlight reels are taught in history classes. This is a highlight reel in history.
We’re only in our 2nd month. 9 more to go. The route changed a few times already. We didn’t know America was one of the nations.
