Schmentitlement

On October 23, 2011, I surrendered my rights to many things on the World Race. 
 
Because we’re not entitled to anything. 
 
Because things will most definitely be different from what we expect. 

They told us to give it up.

This is not about you. 

 
So here are a few things on which I’m throwing in that towel… for the next year, at least.  Ha.

 
I give up my right to the same route.
I give up my right to the same teammates.
I give up my right to know all the plans.
I give up my right to have rights.
To be alone…  (eek)
To keep my secrets.
To individualism.
To my personal belongings…
To be right.
To (try to) be prettier, smarter, cooler, or more spiritual than you.
To have 1,000 comments per blog post (although that would be super awesome).
To (try to) deal with my crazy on my own.
To find a husband on the World Race.
To a civilized toilet.
To a civilized sleeping arrangement.
To civilization.
To a daily cup of coffee.
To be comfortable.
To share my negative opinions about others, with others.
To base my worth and identity on your opinions of me.
To sit on the sidelines (most of the time…).
To remain the same.

America Racers

You don’t have to be a World Racer to make a difference.  To share Jesus.  To love strangers.  To pray over people you just met.  To buy a drink for everyone in Starbucks, just because.  You don’t have to be an overseas missionary-in-training to prophesy Truth over ears that are aching to hear it, hearts that are struggling to believe it.  You don’t have to be on a post-camp high to be excited about what the Holy Spirit is up to.  Not because it’s required, not because you’d have guilt feelings otherwise, but because you’ve been invited to be a part of the story.   And you know there’s nothing better.
 
These are the America Racers.  They are the Dinahs, Mikes, Bryans, and Lawrences of obscure Bible colleges, who drive all the way from California to Indiana to share Jesus with people who have no clue and remind those who forgot they did.  These are the ones who introduce themselves to three twenty-something females who are simply minding their own business, and ask how they can pray for them.  They don’t care about feeling awkward or sounding ridiculous because they care about the gospel of God more than their own selves.  They’ll ask you about your relationship with God, not because they want to compare yours with theirs, but because they want to speak fullness into where it is lacking.  They’ll bring up Bible verses you just read, not because they’re trying to show off, but because… oh, yeah, you’ve already heard them three times in the last three days, and maybe, just maybe, God is trying to make a point.  They'll make you marvel at how a relationship with Him was never meant to be complicated, because it's really just  about loving Him and loving people.  They'll give you a glimpse of how life would look if we all actually did that.  They’ll talk about the Lord  like they know Him, because… well, they do.  He is their Father.  Their Counselor.  Their Savior.  Their Best Friend. 

And, at the end of the day, you won't really be surprised, because you'll remember that this is what people who love Jesus do.
 
An encounter with them will change you forever, because it must be a lot like encountering Jesus Himself.



Ever met someone(s) like this?  Tell us about it!