Just Answer the Door

Have you ever met someone who is gifted at turning a challenging day into a day that exceeds all expectations? Someone who drops what they’re doing in order to pour into you. The kind of person who looks at you and says, “you CAN do this.” A person who encourages you to see the world because they want you to experience all of the things they have. A person who wants to see you grow in who you are as a child of God. A person who loves well because it’s an overflow of Christ’s love in their own life.

I spent the past week in Gainesville, Georgia experiencing all of those things. I showed up with a cry for help and without even knowing what they were doing, I was poured into by some amazing people. The last three months were very hard for me. I felt like I had lost my purpose maybe even my identity. I was no longer a Racer or a world traveler. I didn’t spend hours praying over people or listening to stories of women who were concerned about whether they’ve passed HIV on to their child. I wasn’t asked to take care of babies, prepare sermons, or teach anymore. I now woke up miserably lost and confused. I couldn’t find the confidence and boldness that I grew in on the Race. Life was just, well boring to be honest.

I was more focused on the community that I craved but couldn’t find. I wanted so badly to be back on the race with my newfound family. I talked to a friend about this and after several questions to better understand the situation he told me to go deeper with the Lord and pray harder to find what love means. To understand the love talked about in 1 Corinthians 13. He suggested I apply it to my team and also my family. Most importantly, I needed to relate it to how Jesus loves me. So, for the last week that’s what I’ve done. And it has been a beautiful thing. I’ve been able to pour into other people because of the new way I am being filled up. Because someone took the time to reflect Jesus, I can now do the same for my team and those around me. I challenge you to do that. Listen for the people knocking for help. Don’t become so focused on what you are lacking that you don’t hear the cry of the people around you. Be the person who changes environments and loves well. The world needs more people like that.