Stripping Off and Putting On

Hey All! Merry Christmas!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted so I wanted to update you about the last 4 months.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, our last semester of G42 was moved from Mijas, Spain to Cleveland, GA due to COVID. Although I wasn’t able to see the Mediterranean every day, Cleveland was gorgeous with the mountains and all the fall color.

I graduated G42 at the end of November, right before thanksgiving, along with 16 other classmates.

As I reflected the last few weeks about my time at G42, I realized a few things. My year on the World Race served as a time of “final stripping”, as I would put it. And my time at G42 was a time of walking into and “putting on”.

Let me explain. I have come out of G42 believing that we are ALL born to be loved. That is our sole identity. Whether you believe in God or not, I believe that is why you were created.

I also believe that throughout our life, whether through things said to/about us, experiences we have had, and/or many other things, we have taken on a different identity than the one we were born into. I would argue those are not even identities in themselves, but that is what we have labeled them.

That therefore requires us at some point (if we want) to be stripped of all the things we chose to be our identities that were not actually our identity at all. I walked through this process for many years leading up to the World Race and also while on the World Race. (Side note: I do not believe this is a one and done process. But the majority of things that were in my way of becoming who I was born to be have been stripped away.)

During the process of it all being stripped away, I believe that God is also showing us who we were born to be and have actually always been. It has just been covered up by all of our false identities.

So, G42 for me was a time of learning the fullness of who I was created to be, learning to choose that and “put it on” as my identity, and learning how to walk that out in day-to-day life.

It was pretty cool :)

So what’s next? Good question!

While I was in Cleveland, I had many conversations with God and with others about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. Amidst those conversations, I received a call from my hosts in Knoxville, TN where I did my summer practicum. They asked if I would come help them out with their new coffee shop, Likewise, for a few months as a barista.

I thought about it for maybe a day and then excitedly said yes! I was excited to work as a barista again and also to have some more time to figure out what I wanted to do long term.

I left G42 with the goals to:

1. Find a decent job to really start paying off my student loans

2. Work on my nutrition/health

3. Find a place that has opportunities for me to pursue the things God created me to do (another thing I learned at G42)

4. Commit to a place for a good amount of time and practice staying committed no matter what comes my way in it

Well, within one day of being back in Knoxville, the Lord suggested here as a place for me to land for a while. We talked about it for a few days and I had conversations with some others and now I am looking into moving to Knoxville long term. I have started applying to jobs and looking for housing.

I also hope to continue serving with Raising a Voice while here in Knoxville. It was a privilege to be a part of their mission this summer and to see the things that they are doing here in East Knoxville. It would be an honor for me to get to continue being a part of it, whatever that looks like.

There it is! The big updates from the last few months; ending my time at G42 and starting my time in Knoxville. Obviously, there is so much more and if you would like to hear other details, please reach out! I would love to share.

For now,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May the love of Christ and the love you were born for cover you and your family as we end this year and start a new one. May you be able to find goodness in this year, even in the midst of such hardship.

Much love,

Rachel