So often we go throughout life compartmentalizing things in our life. Our passions, family, work, fun, joy, pain, fears, hardships, religion, and relationships. I have common factors between these but it is uncomfortable to truly have fluidity between these aspects of my life. I put many of them in separate little boxes so that they don’t overlap. We categorize things in our life because it allows us to live how we want, when we want.
We keep our “Christian friends” separate from our “weekend friends.” We maintain different personas in front of different people and adapt to where we are and what is “socially acceptable” for the situation.
What does it look like for us to de-compartmentalize and be authentic wherever and whenever? For me this has been something I have heavily pursued for several years now. One of the biggest factors of beginning this journey of authenticity was how I set myself up.
Three months ago I returned from extensive travel for the World Race and knew that my next move was vital. Gainesville, GA was put on my heart and I moved here with very little planning. Since arriving here I was asked to help with World Race training camps, made some really good friends in this community, have been hired on as a rock-climbing guide for Mt. Yonah Guide Trips, and focused a great deal of my time on fundraising. It blows me away how the Lord has taken care of me. That has always been a thing that happens for “other people.” The crazy stories and the unprecedented financial provisions are things that I have always seen happen for everyone else, and definitely not me.
This is simply untrue, and as I reflect I can see how His hand has been in everything from providing a place to live, to giving me work that is flexible around volunteering at training camps.
The more I journey with the Lord the more I realize that He does not compartmentalize. The closer I get with the Lord the more I realize how He cares about authentic friendships, financial provision, and the in-between.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Oftentimes we read this in regards to making God our priority. Priorities lead us into a compartmentalizing thought process. Instead what if we were to seek his kingdom and righteousness and let that influence our view of family, friends, jobs, and even fun. We rank our order of priorities: God first, family second, and so on. Instead of segregating these, it is vital that we remember that everything is interconnected. He is the “I AM”, not just a priority. Seeking him first has to do with a heart posture and a desire for him to come before anything else in our lives.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
I have reached 50% of the commitments I need in order to go to Thailand! It has been amazing to see how the Lord has worked and brought people into my circle to partner with me. Thank you so much to those that have said yes in coming onto my financial support team. You are such a huge blessing and vital to what the Lord is doing!
