Why world race?

 

The answer to this question has been an idea for a blogpost over the past couple weeks. Why did I choose World Race & what about it appeals to me?

 

Traveling has been an interest and growing passion of mine since high school. Once my geographic boundaries expanded to a different state when I was 18, I wanted it to increase ever more. Photography captures my travel eyes and I often add places I would like to visit in the years and months of my life to yet be lived. When I discovered my love of hiking, more locations were added & I trampled more ground! 

When studying abroad became an opportunity, my heart and DNA came unzipped & I realized I can go anywhere & do anything.

 

Travel is a major theme surrounding my life goals & dreams. 

 

 

But why the abandon of comfortable life in the US? Why missions? Why do places around the world that are known for brokenness & danger draw me to want to go there? Why are the Middle East & SE Asia (in particular) set deep in my heart to experience?

 

 

Well, why was I born into a comfortable, safe life? Why do I not wonder about shelter & food day in and day out? Why do I live in a location where I don’t fear death and feel safe? Why do I have so much, and these regions have so little? 

 

 

At the core, we are all the same. Are there significant differences between us and the way we live? Absolutely. Do we go through the day in the same mindset? No. Are we both searching for meaning & value in the days we have? No doubt. 

 

 

 

If truths I have learned & mindsets I have received from Papa have changed me, then why keep it to myself? I have been given much, therefore, I have much to give away. If I can give this coming year to live with little & experience day to day life in a new way and experience Papa’s goodness & love, what more do I need? If I am not willing to give what I have received, I am still living selfishly & alone. If I am willing to give 11 months to Papa to radically shift my thinking & shift how I think I can interact with others in this world (no matter their background & current state), he will do what I can only imagine he could do for someone other than me. 

What could He do if I give him a year?

What incredible things could He do through me?

What freedom could be brought through my yes?

What experience of his love & joy & massive happy heart could be had just by me saying, “why not”?

 

 

World race speaks to my travel seeking, adventurous, curious heart.

World race speaks to my questions of, why do I have it so easy, and these people have it so hard.

World race gives me an opportunity to take a massive risk and let Jesus use me for an entire year.

I get to partner with him! I get to partner with his boundless, limitless heart!!!

What an adventure! I don’t want to miss it. 

I have the opportunity to partner with someone else’s yes to freedom. I have the chance to say “it’s true, you are valuable, you are important, and you are loved by a good good father.”

I carry a piece of his heart; a piece he fashioned just for me to carry & give away.

I want to share it. I am a sharer. Sharing is caring. No one else can give this piece like I can. Ha! Wow.

 

 

// I am currently reading Kingdom Journeys: the Lost Spiritual Discipline by Seth Barnes. We are given this book to read before training & I am catching up. It is written by the adventurous soul who bravely experimented with the idea of world race & made it reality.

Check it out! It’s got loads of gold in it.

Also- if you’re curious, we are to read the devotional The Art of Listening Prayer: Finding God’s Voice Amidst Life’s Noise, also by Seth Barnes.