So here I go starting this insane journey.
11 countries in 11 months.
$15,500 to raise.
When I think about it, it is crazy.
It is easy to get discouraged in a world that it constantly whispering "You can't do that". However, I have found in my short time on this earth that God often chooses to work in the things that seem impossible.
One passage that has encouraged me over the years is the passage in 1 Corinthians1:27-2:5:
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things– and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ' Let him who boasts boast in the Lord'. When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
This passage has transformed my life in many ways. For years I have struggled with who I am. Constantly believing that I am weak and unworthy. Those of you who know me, know that I am typically introverted and quiet. Making new friends has never been easy for me due to my natural tendency to keep to myself and remain quiet. For years I viewed myself as inferior to others.
Even now, I struggle. I struggle as I prepare for the World Race. I hear a soft whisper in my mind saying "Why are you going on the World Race? You can't do that. You can't preach the gospel to the nations. You're too quiet. You're too introverted. You can't raise that much money. That's impossible".
But this is what is beautiful about the gospel. Jesus invites us to come as we are, with all of our fear and failure and embrace a love that is greater than ourselves. My weakness, which once crushed me, is now an outlet for God's infinite power. He chose the weak things of this world. He chose me.
On the world race I expect to experience the power of God in a very real and tangible way. Will I be pushed out of my comfort zone? Yes. Will I love every minute of it? No probably not. But the thing about being pushed out of your comfort zone, is it creates and outlet for God to pour out his infinite grace and power. Were I fail, God's grace abounds all the more.
