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Searchlight: Getting a life after the race

If you could do anything in life, what would it be? At some point in our lives, we need to ask and answer that question. Because it’s a big, daunting question, we need help asking and answering it. The World Race can help with part of the equation – it wrecks its participants for smal…
By Seth Barnes
By Seth Barnes
If you could do anything in life, what would it be?
At some point in our lives, we need to ask and answer that question.
Because it’s a big, daunting question, we need help asking and answering it. The World Race can help with part of the equation – it wrecks its participants for small dreams, but then what? As hundreds graduate, I’ve struggled to figure out what we can do to help them not only dream, but to begin launching out and doing their dreams.
Searchlight is what we came up with. It’s a free post-race program for alumni needing help in making sense of life as one who is wrecked but looking for illumination on where to go next. We’ll start the first one on January 8 here in Gainesville.
Some racers have jobs lined up upon their return home, some go
directly back into ministry, and some come on staff with AIM.  However, many are left wondering what to do next.  SearchLight gives participants an opportunity to address these
questions. 

For two weeks, participants live in community and seek God’s direction.  Using 5 key areas of development, they assess skills, traits, desires, and opportunities. Here’s what we tell them:

Self-Assessment: On both a spiritual level and a
competency level, you will review your strengths and weaknesses.  These
will be thoroughly examined and refined, and combined with the
interests and desires of your heart, will be used to formulate your
life plan.

Career Options: In finding a job, the saying “it’s
not what you know, it’s who you know” is true more often than not. 
Whether you want to be a financial consultant or open an orphanage in
Cambodia, it never hurts to know people in that field.  Using AIM’s
network of supporters, you will be given a point of contact in
your chosen field as a resource.

Fit Assessment: Combining the results of your
self-assessment and career options, you will zone in on what’s out
there and how it fits with you.  Know what you want, see what’s out
there, and decide which is the best fit.

Community: After the race, everyone misses
community.  It’s great to have your own bedroom and bathroom again, but
the novelty quickly fades, leaving you with an emptiness and longing
for community.  And when it comes to seeking the Lord, prophecy and
encouragement are crucial.  SearchLight participants will all live in
community together, continuing to live in a spirit of worship and
surrender.
 
Why you should go
We all need help in finding our purpose and place in life. Years ago, when I attended the Center for Creative Leadership’s course in Greensboro, NC, I found the time extremely valuable. The CCL course provided the kind assessment, instruction, and personalized guidance that Searchlight provides. A five-day CCL course costs $7500-$11,000 (plus transportation). Our hope is that Searchlight will be at least that valuable. We bring in a range of speakers and workshop leaders who have a wealth of wisdom to impart. We house you and feed you for free and surround you with people who love you and want to make you better.
 
Occasionally in life someone who has walked down the path on which you’re walking offers to join you and help guide you. Looking back on their help, you see it for the gift that it was. If the World Race helped get you started, then Searchlight can be the perfect next step down your path.

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