What is my mission?

Emily and I began attending a small group last month and I am easing into the idea of sitting around with strangers, talking about how to be better partners. This is difficult for me on so many levels...For one, I'm a quasi-introvert and settings like these make me uncomfortable/sweaty. I also find it hard to share my faults. And allow anyone to help me. And talk about my faith. So attending two of these meetings has been my equivalent of reaching the summit of Everest without losing any fingers. The most recent discussion surrounded the topic of mission(ing), i.e., giving more of yourself to others. Like I do with everything in life, I began to equate this to triathlon and so this blog post has taken flight. 

Being missional (not sure it's a word, but they were using it) far exceeds the traditional idea of going to a third world country and hammering a few nails into a piece of wood. I never had the desire to go on a mission trip because I thought it was unfair to the people who actually live where I would be travelling. From the natives' perspective: this white kid with clothes and shoes and obviously enough money to fly on an airplane, comes to town and builds us a new house because our old house was such a piece of $hit (in the white kid's mind) that we needed a new one. It just didn't add up for me. What I failed to realize over the years is the fact that being missional can take on many forms. You provide a mission when you let someone cut in traffic, or when you pre-pay someone's order at Starbucks or when you comfort someone who is hurting. To me, these are better missions because they are done in everyday scenarios and have an immediate impact on someone's life (and you don't have to fly somewhere to do it). 

So how can I apply this to my life? What is my mission? 

I spend an excruciating amount of time alone in training. It's my choice. I don't get compensated for racing and as of this year, no longer even receive free shoes or nutrition. But I love the therapy that can be achieved in solidarity so I continue to do it because it makes me feel alive. However, I've recently come to the realization that something is missing this time around (triathletes train using seasons and blocks---I am chest deep in the 2016 season and my most challenging block for IMVM). I feel like God is telling me that I need to take some of the pressure off of myself and begin using this sport as a way to mission to others. It first hit me during the small group meeting on Monday and again yesterday in the pool...you're too wrapped up on how this benefits YOU and haven't even thought about how it could be a mission to OTHERS. So what can I do to immediately impact someone else's life? I'm going to add another discipline to the race: prayer. 

Upon posting this for the world to see, I will begin drafting an email to my immediate contacts to ask for prayer requests to be sent my way. Over the next six weeks and leading up to race day, I will pray during training for every request that I receive. It's easy to accomplish with a pen, a note card and a zip lock baggie. This will be my mission and I hope it brings peace to many.

Ironman Vineman is six weeks away as of this writing and I begin my four longest training weeks starting tomorrow with a 5 hour ride followed by a 30min run. Sunday asks for 2:30 on the trail. I continue to pray for strength and praise God for the ability to do what I do--I am excited to add much more to my prayers to follow. 

Kelly