Where do I belong? I've been on the search for a long time. What school, what group of friends, what church, what organization. Recently I have been faced with the decision of where I belong after graduation. As the world told me I needed to find a job, I listened. I was all about building my resume to have a greater opportunity for finding a high paying job. I was on track to do just that when God made it clear He had other plans for me. In January of 2012 I went to Passion conference in Atlanta. At Passion, young adults are reminded that God has brought them back to life through His son and are challenged to pursue the Lord in a more intentional way. God started working in me. He broke my heart for the 27 million slaves in this world that I was completely unaware of before the conference. He was pulling me back towards Him.
After being so set on having this great career and feeling like I had been on track to find where I belong in this world, God put me in a questionable place. I found myself reconsidering the study abroad trip I was supposed to take with my fellow Industrial Distribution colleagues to check one more thing off of my 'Above and Beyond Student' list. God was working in me to do something else with my summer though. After coming to the realization that I will be working for the rest of my life, I decided that I should give my summer up to Him. One of the best decisions I've ever made, no credit to myself of course. Last summer I was sent on an adventure where I stayed with a family in Ukraine (shout out to Anya, Eugenia, and Nadya!) and then to do mission work in Romania. For the last month of my summer, I had the opportunity to be on Summer Staff at Young Life camp in Colorado. In my time at Young Life camp, I decided to be re-baptized (I was baptized as a baby) as a symbol of how Christ has cleansed me and made me brand new. It was a moment I will never forget. Had I not experienced the summer I did last year, I don't believe I would have searched for doing anything against the grain of what most students plan after school.
I had a family member tell me about the World Race and I became intrigued by the idea of 11 countries in 11 months. I love traveling and now that I had found a place in my heart to love the broken people in this world it was something that didn't leave my mind. I was confused because for years I had prepared myself to be in a comfortable place after graduation. A job where I could make money, a house to make MY home. It sounded so right, yet God was speaking to me saying, "Comfortable isn't home."
After jumping in head first, the Lord has shown me where I belong. I don't belong to a certain group of friends, not to an incredible university, not to Young Life, not to a comfortable place where I saw myself. I BELONG TO HIM. I am His beloved and He wants me to be the most uncomfortable I've ever been in my life… for eleven months. I get to be uncomfortable alongside my Savior as He allows me to follow Him across the world. That is where I belong.
All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
I am beyond excited to begin this journey. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for both fundraising and the Race. Thank you for all of the prayers and support!
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For more information about Passion, click here.
