So, you may ask, how was it that I chose to go on the World Race? First of all, I heard about this from my brother and another friend from church who knew about it through the grapevine. It sounded incredible. But, when I was praying about what to do after high school, I never got any clear answers from God. I was like “God, do you want me to go to this college or that one? What should I study?” But the only response I sensed was “I love you and I’m with you.” Hearing that was really really awesome, but I was like “uhh, so where do you want me to go?”
One day when I was particularly frustrated about it and needed an answer for where to go before the college decision deadlines were approaching, my mom happened to come across a Focus on the Family podcast about getting direction from God. The guy said that sometimes God lets us make our own decisions in life but gives us wisdom instead of telling us a place to go. So after praying/thinking about it, I felt that if what God told me was true, then what should I be afraid of? Why not take that promise to heart and do something that would make me have to lean on it like never before? Like maybe…. the World Race? After talking to a few trustworthy people, I got the notion that going on the World Race would be the best thing for me to propel my faith forward.
So, I applied. I felt so inadequate. And all my fears and anxieties and insecurities kicked up a notch. I wanted to go and serve God, but this trip to me looked like it was only for His most obedient followers. Going around the world serving others, telling them about Jesus, praying for people, stuff like that — thats an enormous privilege and a holy work. Even in my interview I felt like I said everything I was supposed to say the wrong way and all I could think about was all of the places in my life I just didn’t have the courage to be obedient to what God said.
But when I was accepted, I discovered God’s grace in an amazing way. It was like God somehow showed himself in me and covered over all my imperfections when I said “yes” to following Him. Somehow I got accepted — not because I am some “holy” Christian but because God lives inside of me and qualified me by the cross. Thank you Jesus for giving me grace for this kingdom journey. Thank you Jesus for giving me the opportunity to follow you and to live life with these amazing people. Woohoo!! And so the adventure begins
