Tell the story.
Its been several months since I became an official world racer and I have been scared silly to start blogging. But I think its way past time for me to bite the bullet and tell the story.
“What are your plans after graduation?”
I think this is everyone’s favorite ice breaker to ask college students. Its probably every college student’s most dreaded question, or at least it was for me.
I began college with my life figured out and with big plans of going to veterinary school. I decided I knew where I was going and if opportunities were available, the Lord probably wanted me to pursue it. Not too far into college, God began dismantling all of the plans I was making. I ended up losing my early admission to veterinary school and realized how little prayer had actually gone into any of the decisions I had made. I could still apply to vet school later if I wanted, but after actually seeking the Lord I had no peace or desire to see it through. Following that, I explored several different professional schools and master’s programs, finding no peace in any.
Yet again, I was back at square one. I had no idea what I wanted to do or was supposed to do, much less what kind of answer to give people when they asked. I hate being the wishy-washy person that can’t make up their mind. I don’t like being flaky. Being in a season of waiting on the Lord made me feel that way all the time.
Stay.
I spent summers 2011-2013 working on a Christian dude ranch in Colorado. I love that place, I love that ministry, and I love those people. When I began praying about whether to return for a fourth summer, the Lord said, “No” pretty clearly. My response went a little something like, “Uhh. I’m sorry, what? I think I heard you wrong.” After several months of trying to twist God’s arm, I knew I was supposed to stay in Stillwater. I decided I would take some theology classes at the church, pour myself into community, and get a couple part-time jobs. And low and behold, my plan failed again.
I applied for a dozen jobs that high school kids would apply for and didn’t hear back from a single one. But in the midst of that God was good, as he always is, and provided me with a housesitting job for several weeks. It was outside of town. I didn’t have internet and didn’t really have phone service, which created lots of mandatory quiet time. I was frustrated, I was confused, and I was mad at the Lord. “I’m being obedient. I stayed in Stillwater like you asked and I feel like I have no purpose. What am I doing here? And if I can’t even figure the summer out, what the heck am I going to do in May after I graduate?”
Go.
In the midst of those few weeks, the Lord gave me several gentle reminders. One of the phrases often heard at Sunnybrook, my church in Stillwater, is Go-Gather-Grow. Over the last few years, this ministry has taught me so much about what it looks like to Gather, be actively involved in the body of Christ, and do life with other believers. It has also stretched me immensely in teaching me how to Grow, how to feed myself spiritually, and how to engage the process of spiritual growth.
God told me that I’ve experienced Gathering and Growing, but I had no idea what it looked like to “Go.” As I began to pray through that, the World Race came up time and again. I was familiar with the ministry, as I have several friends from the Ranch in Colorado who have gone. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was supposed to apply.
I wish I could tell you that I just fell right in line and jumped on board with this whole Race thing. Nope. I wrestled with the Lord about it all last fall. I finally filled out the application over Christmas break and now here we are!
Get a deep seat and a faraway look! Here’s where we’re headed:
Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Kosovo, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Boliva!
