A couple of days ago, I was on the phone with a friend back in the States and she asked me, “what’s the hardest part of the Race right now?” And I thought for a second and while probably a dozen different things popped up in my mind, I ended up saying living in community. She then asked me, “what’s the best part of the Race right now?” Without hardly any thought, I said the community.
And I’ve been thinking about that conversation ever since. How can the hardest thing be the best thing at the same time?
Since being on the Race, living in community has been a constant. I’ve been living with anywhere from 40 people to 20 people at all times. In Swazi, I shared a room with 15 other girls. In Myanmar, I lived in a room with 4 girls while sharing a twin bed. And in Thailand, I share a room with 13 other girls. I can’t go anywhere without at least one more person with me (formerly known as “the buddy system”). Ministry is with my team of 7. We eat every meal together.
Needless to say, I haven’t been alone in 6 months. And while the introvert in me is a little overwhelmed, I’ve never experienced a community quite like this.
A community that fights for each other, day in and day out.
A community who’s first instinct is to pray.
A community that choses to sit and have hard conversations with each other.
A community that spends Saturday nights worshipping.
A community that intercedes for each others families back home.
A community that cries together.
A community that rejoices and celebrates hard.
A community that edifies the Body.
A community that is inviting to outsiders.
A community that tangibly carries the presence of the Lord.
A community that meets people exactly where they are.
A community that does everything in the name of Jesus.
A community that is the Church.
A community that lives out Acts 2:42-47. “They devoted themselves the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
It baffles me to think the Lord invited me into a community like this. What an honor and privilege it is to serve and live alongside 40 incredible women of God that continually point me back to Christ.
And yeah, not being alone gets hard and frustrating. But nothing compares to looking around and seeing girls fight and pray for each other instead of gossiping. or sitting with a friend as they open up about what they’ve been struggling with. or standing in a kitchen of a hostel and worshipping for hours. or having your friends get baptized in the Indian Ocean, proclaiming victory. or breaking bread in the middle of Swazi together. or spending New Years Eve together interceding for the party culture back home. or walking an hour together just to go to church in Swazi. or sitting under the Milky Way, talking about the things of this world that break our hearts. or seeing your friends sit with strangers and pray for them. or having your friend give away her favorite stuffed animal from home at the Thailand border to two girls she just met. or eating with friends that pull up a chair for strangers. or watching friends surrender their entire lives to Jesus. or experiencing your friends embody Christ-like Love to everyone they meet.
The atmosphere is different here. And I’m humbled to be invited into it.
Lauren,
I love the things you are experiencing and sharing with us. Thrilling really. Isn’t it something when the experience far exceeds the expectation? So happy for you and your tribe.
This is the most beautiful blog! This has me tearing up a little bit. It’s so easy to focus on the hard things so long that you forget to step back and see the beauty in the middle of it all. Thanks for sharing! Love you!!!
I really enjoyed your blog about living in community! I am praying for you and squad B
Hello and thanks again for sharing! Its always wonderful to hear how you are doing and how God is growing you and your team and helping each of you in loving each other but also all those around you.
Community is so important- but especially when you are away from the comforts of your home. The things you and your team are learning about community and especially relationships- so so important! Indeed you and your team are just like the disciples were- living, eating, sleeping, serving, praying, working, even being sick at the same time ! Worshipping together and growing in spiritual wisdom- realizing how little our human brains can actually grasp sometimes of the depth and immense love of God for each of us. Its hard at times but its also what helps to encourage each of you along the challenging path you’re on.
Keep journaling @ what you’re learning- and know that once you return home- you will of course miss the community of your racer team- but you will be permanently connected because of the experiences you have shared together. And this along with Christ’s word will guide you as you start on the journey God has for you after you complete your race.
What you and your racers learn about service and community are priceless.
Bob Goff gave an abbreviated summary of Matthew 25- and these are the people we all need to focus on serving-
Hungry people
Thirsty people
Sick people
Strange people
Naked people
People in jail
I know you are surrounded by so many in need and each of you and your teammates are living out serving these people. And you are encouraging each other as life gets hard and sometimes you grow weary in the journey.
Thank you for saying yes to this journey- and thank your racers on your team! And I know you have been blessed beyond measure in your service.
We will continue to pray for you and your team and for God to continue to provide for all of your needs and for many of the needs for the people you come in contact with! We continue to pray for good health for all of you, for strength when you’re weary, joy when it’s challenging and wisdom to guide your every step and words.
2 Timothy 3:16
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for tue tasks God has for us.
The Message
Keep praying for Luke! For a coach or counselor to help him see his potential, for wisdom for us as parents, to know which medical advice to follow regarding his health issues related to GI system, for some new true friends, for meaningful work.
Thank you!
Susan Arduino
Lauren, I always enjoy your writing. I like that you posed the question, how can the same things be both the hardest and the best at the same time. There’s a huge misconception out there that hard is bad. But at least in my life, hard is where I’ve most often encountered the best of Jesus! And that’s truly the best of all! I think that’s what you racers are seeing too, and it’s why the Race isn’t a cake walk! Enjoy the hard, and better yet, the real Jesus you meet there! Julie (Kate’s mom)
Hey Lauren,
Enjoyed reading your blog of community. These relationships you are creating are very genuine and I am sure you will be in touch with your new Sisters in Christ Forever! What a blessing!
This is awesome!! Thank you for your honesty and rawness. I am so proud of each of you for pushing onwards and upwards REGARDLESS of RBT challenges you are facing. God is able to do AMAZING things because His children are obedient! Love y’all!!
So good! What a great lesson to learn that hard can be beautiful. That hard is worth it. Thanks for sharing that beautiful picture of community. May we all strive to have a little bit of that wherever God plants us. Thank you for sharing your heart and making me want more. More of Him.
yesssssssss!
And I’ve found in life that the best things are also the hardest things – the things that require grit and perseverance and choosing and getting dirty and vulnerability. But wow, when they are things of the Kingdom, they are so so so good and worth it.
This is so good, thank you! God will always invite us into community because He Himself is community: Father, Son & Holy Ghost! Love this!