This past week has been great. Spending time with family for Thanksgiving, filling up on home cooking, and taking a much-needed break from school was good. What else could you ask for? Well, actually the best part of my break was being able to see my brother. This past Wednesday, my brother flew into Chicago after just finishing his World Race which he left for in January. He went to 11 countries throughout the year and had a life changing experience as he spread God’s love to the world. Among other things, he came back with a full head of hair and a beard even a mountain man would be proud of. Seeing my brother for the first time in a full year brought back some thoughts I had when my brother was preparing for the race two summers ago.
My brother graduated from Ball State in 2014 and shortly thereafter he signed up for The World Race.
I thought he was a fool for doing it.
He had little to no money, no job, and an extreme amount of college debt. But for my brother, doing this race was beyond his personal needs. It was his calling to go out into the world and make a change. I grew to admire his character and his willingness to leave everything for a mission to serve the world.
And now as I begin my journey to travel across the world on the same mission, I have gained a new perspective. There is nothing normal about going on The World Race. Ever since I was young I feel like the idea of going to school, getting good grades, graduating from a decent college, landing a great job, and raising a family was pounded into my head. It’s what everyone is supposed to do and those fortunate enough to meet all these goals would live successful lives. But I think there is more for me.
For me, a life that isn’t lived for the sake of others is not a life well lived, and although I am not completely confident of where my live is going in the next couple of years, I am taking a leap of faith.
With all of the bad things that are happening in the world today, it is easy to complain or care only about your own needs; I’m guilty of it as well. But I think that is part of the problem. I think the world needs people who are willing to sacrifice the idea of a perfect life in order to pursue the mission of helping a bigger cause. Maybe the world needs people who will put others before themselves and spread love to those who need it most. We might need more people like my brother who leave everything they were told was a “successful” life in order to serve others. I don’t think everyone has to be a missionary to achieve this and serving others can take many form, but this is what I was called to do.
I just believe the world could use a couple of more fools.
