You don’t have to go on the World Race to have your life changed by it. Here are some things that those of us who stay behind can do to get the most out of the race. Read and comment on blogs. When our children (Talia and Seth) went on the race, not only did we read and comment on almost all their blogs, but we read and commented on the blogs of their teammates as well. The World Race may look exciting, but make no mistake, it is probably the most difficult thing a young person has ever done. It’s a year-long change process. Racers move from narcissism to empathy, from parochialism to a world view. Making that change will take every ounce of willpower they’ve got; racers abandon everything to find their identity and purpose. They need your encouragement. Pray through what your racer is
experiencing. Ask God to help you empathize. Allow yourself to be impacted.
experiencing. Ask God to help you empathize. Allow yourself to be impacted.
Let them go. You’ve given your son or daughter the best years of your life. Ironically, one of the most helpful things you can do now is to give them the space they need to find their own identity and faith. Let them set the terms of your interaction. Resist the temptation to skype them every week. This blog on the subject by Michael Hindes is priceless.
Read some of the books racers read:
Luke 4-10. We say we follow Jesus, but many of us are biblical illiterates. We want to take the year to delve into how Jesus poured into his disciples and how we can apply that to a 21st century reality. We look at these passages in Luke and meditate on what Jesus intended as he walked amongst the men and women of Palestine.
The Shack. Racers need help separating Jesus from culturally defined religion. Too often we confuse Jesus with the religious garb society puts on him. The Shack deconstructs a lot of the issues that keep people from a life of faith.
The Heavenly Man. Racers need help moving from a life of self-reliance to a life of faith. This biography of Brother Yun, a Chinese Christian leader, shows how God responds to faith. The miracles he experiences as he goes through persecution show what’s possible for someone who is sold out to God.
Always Enough. Having settled issues of identity, racers delve into what it means to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. Can he be trusted? Will he provide in the most extreme circumstances? This story of Heidi and Rolland Baker in Mozambique is a riveting example of how God shows up when we trust him.
The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind. Bill Johnson is a favorite of racers. He explains how kingdom living can occur no matter where you go.Listen to
Andrew Shearman.
Andrew has had a greater impact on me than just about any other man. He
has started a leadership school in Spain that a lot of racer alumni
attend. Listen to his messages (particularly the 42nd Generation) and
allow his generous spirit to impact yo
u.
Andrew Shearman.
Andrew has had a greater impact on me than just about any other man. He
has started a leadership school in Spain that a lot of racer alumni
attend. Listen to his messages (particularly the 42nd Generation) and
allow his generous spirit to impact yo
u.
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Thanks for sharing this article. I have to admit that when my son first told me that he was going to do this, I was very skeptical. It was difficult knowing how much had been invested in his education and instead of getting a job, he needed more money—for what?? Yet, this will be one of the greatest investments in his life! I laugh now, and he hasn’t even started his trip yet! God has already begun doing so many amazing things in his life. I have been reading the racer’s blogs and am so amazed at what God is doing!
Thanks for sharing today!
Blessings,
Donna
I am so proud of my son and all of our sons and daughters for taking this wonderful journey in their lives! From the beginning I signed up to get many of the blogs of the teammates going on the race with my son. Just reading their words have filled me with such pride and know that he is in the right place. Plus… seeing everyone’s pictures I catch a glimpse of him! Thank you World Race for making a difference in all of our lives!
Love this!!
I laughed at the last point,
“and listen to Andrew” =) So true!!!
Great book list for everyone for sure. All are a great perspective on what a disciple of Christ’s worldview should look like.
Thanks Seth
I agree this is a great blog. The perspective gained from reading the journey of these racers is gold. I have fallen in love with God all over again as I watch Him work in the developing world as well as in mine.
If I had it to do over again I would desire that all of my kids have this life changing experience.
so true! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, going on the race was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And very few people will leave you feeling as encouraged as Papa Shearman will!
Thanks Seth…While focused on the WR this posting had some gems for the “race” we call “faith in the everyday life”.
As a parent of a current World Racer I agree wholeheartedly with all you’ve said here. Seeing what God has and is doing in my daughter’s life in the last few months is nothing short of amazing to me, yet it shouldn’t really be that way. I mean, after all, He IS God! And He answers prayer.
It’s great getting to know other team members through their blogs as well. It helps us to get a broader scope of what God is doing out there. It’s all good. It’s all God.
Now, I’ve got some reading to do, as I have only read The Shack so far.
God bless you AIM!
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Thanks for sharing this. The WR sounds like a condensed, highly potent dose of the Christian life. We all have a race to run; s Scripture makes that clear:
1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Yet the opportunity to take a ‘crash course’ as it were in living it OUT is unparalleled. What a powerful ministry for creating strong, stable men and women of faith. I count it a privilege to pray for them.
Our son is a part of the J Squad which is currently is Southeast Asia. The World Race has been a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord not only for him but his entire family at home who have been watching his travels and hearing about what the Lord has been doing throughout the world. It’s been exciting to read the blogs of all his teammates, see their pictures, and pray for them daily. We’ve come to know and love them all because they have become his “family” as well as ours. Thank you World Race for how our son has changed through this experience and grown even closer to the Lord!!