We were asked to share with you why we’re going on this world mission’s adventure called the World Race. I’m going around the world in 11 months, because God opened my eyes.
If you would have asked me even just a year ago if I ever thought I would do something like the World Race, my answer probably would have been no…that seems crazy! Well call me crazy because here I go. I always wanted to do mission work but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. So, I searched and prayed for a direction from God but nothing came. I didn’t give up on this dream of missions; I just didn’t think it was time. I thought, once I’m married I can do mission work. Once, I find a mission team to go with I can do mission work. If those seem like excuses to you, that is probably because they are. God taught me a big lesson before I applied to the World Race. He called me out on my fears. I was afraid to say something to a friend because of fear of rejection. This fear had been controlling my life for a long time. NO MORE. There is freedom in Christ and I found it once I faced my fears.
This new found freedom opened my eyes. It opened my eyes to see a world in pain, to see starving children, to see love that needed to be shared. Not just with one destination, but many nations. God opened my eyes to no longer see life through fearful eyes. I could have so easily kept my eyes closed and I would have been perfectly content, living a good life. But not the life Christ has called me to live. I have always thought I was meant to do something big with my life. Yes, I did think that was to be a superstar or fashion designer when I was young, but what little girl doesn’t dream that. I have always felt a stirring in my soul to live boldly, passionately, and in big ways. I just didn’t know what that feeling meant or what I was supposed to do with it. I now know it is not one certain thing that I am supposed to do. It is the choice to follow Christ not just today, but everyday of my life. That stirring has always been there, I am just now embracing it and deciding it is time to live with intention. The World Race is not the final destination. It is just the avenue I am taking to follow God’s will.
How many people have the same stirring within their souls? How many will not recognize that it is Christ calling them to live boldly for Him? How many will? Sunday, in my bible class my friend Rocio told us all about how this year she chose to fall in love with Jesus. She chose to truly live passionately for Him, to worship Him in new and different ways, to praise His name daily. Now, not only is she madly in love with her Savior but people see it in her and want the same peace she has. Jesus is contagious. Why do we let our fears get the best of us? I say NO MORE. I choose you Jesus, I choose you!
Proverbs 16: 3, 9
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
