9 months ago I was setting out on the wildest, scariest, and most exciting adventure thus far in my walk with the Lord… now here I am, at the end of my World Race journey, doing it all again. Not the World Race so to say, but an adventure called life. With the World Race coming to an end here in one short week, I’m walking into the next journey a bit different than who I was before the Race.
Here is where I’m supposed to write a blog about how doing the World Race changed my life. The truth is, it didn’t. My life was changed back in 2018 when I gave my full yes to Jesus and began to run after Him with all that I had. Me doing the World Race was a huge result of my pursuit of Him. Now, don’t hear me wrong, I have had to walk through A LOT of changes (physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc) since giving my full yes to Jesus, both good and bad. BUT my life and its focus has always been the same… Jesus. The World Race journey has taken me deeper and deeper into what pursuing Him and being pursued by Him is, and with that, change has come. The World Race has solidified my yes even more. This is a blog where I want to make this declaration: I’m never ever going back.
Let me explain more of what I mean… Romans 6:1-11 says
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus
Romans 6 is FULL of goodness and I highly encourage you to read the entire chapter, but for this blog post, we’re focusing just on this small little bit. Upon reading this, I reflected over what my life has looked like the past 9 months and came to these firm conclusions:
I have tasted and seen that the Lord is GOOD (Psalms 100:5).
Becoming a slave to Righteousness is GOOD (Romans 6:18).
Taking up my cross to follow him wholeheartedly, even if it means suffering, is GOOD (1 Peter 2:21).
Being called the bride of Christ is GOOD (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Living out the great commission is GOOD (Matthew 28:16-20).
Surrendering it all for Him over and over again is GOOD (Luke 14:33).
Loving and being loved by Him is GOOD (1 John 4:19).
There is absolutely NOTHING better than a life of “YES” for Him.
I decided way long ago that after I gave my yes to Jesus, I was never going back to the life I was living before. During the past 9 months, that commitment has grown abundantly more. I’ve made up my mind… I am NEVER going back. The “GOOD” life I get to live with Him is FOREVER.
With this all being said, something I haven’t done since seriously giving my life to the Lord was to publicly declare my faith by being baptized. I was baptized as a baby into my family’s Lutheran church, and chose when I was 14 to be baptized in the sweet baptist church I grew up in… believing in God but never really understanding what it means to be a follower of Christ.
Now, as a public declaration of my “YES” I was baptized.
The church (Gap C) gathered together today at the Cocles beach in Costa Rica and I was baptized. It was absolutely amazing. The people who I have called family the past 9 months, who follow Jesus wholeheartedly with their own “YES”, got to be a part of my declaration. An honor. My heart walked away from that dunk FULL!
I was baptized into His death and now walk forever in the newness of life. I am united with Him in both death to sin and resurrection of life. My old self is dead, I am no longer enslaved to sin, and forever I am set free. The life I now live is for HIM. I am alive to God in Christ Jesus… forever and ever and I am never going back. The song of my heart is forever “Yes, Lord. My life is yours.” So, as this chapter soon comes to a very bittersweet end, it is indeed only a chapter, and the GOOD book that the Author is writing is still being written.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (My favorite Bible verse :P)
I can’t believe this season is almost over! It seems like it just started! Where will you go after it’s finished?
I’m so proud that you have pursued the call has placed on your life. I have seen so much growth in you and it has inspired many including myself. Gina and I will always have a special place in our hearts for you. Your an amazing young woman with a bright future ahead. Keep telling Jesus yes and watch what he will alos you to do for his glory. Love ya girl.
listen to the wedding bells ring, sister !!!!! wow!! amen!! fully reconciled!!
Love this so much!
Courtney Vitera- sharing your testimony and the knowledge you gained this year will be an inspiration to people you have met, will meet and maybe even people you don’t meet but lasting impacts still have meaning-God bless and thanks for being a blessing!