When God started stirring in me over a year ago to seek Him in a new way for adventure and radical living, I didn't really know what to do with it. But a seed was being watered in my soul that was growing boldness and a new joy. I started seeing God's hands at work in real and tangible ways and I couldn't ignore it.
Four months ago, when it became really clear that God was calling me to step out and follow Him in a new way, I also received a fresh sense of life and the reminder of how alive and active God is in our daily life. I remember picking up my sweet friend Megan for the Easter sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial and just bubbling over with excitement and joy because of the celebration of Jesus' resurrection! How appropriate that God used Easter weekend to reveal His plan for me to go on the World Race. God's plan for His only Son to go to the cross and suffer death to pay for our sins did not end there. Three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave. Death did not have the victory, rather the grave was overcome by Christ and He is ALIVE! Alive and active, pursuing each of us and directing us as we seek Him in the way we should go.
As my departure is quickly approaching now, I am reflecting a lot lately on how God has so perfectly woven together the details of this beautiful story and journey that is just beginning. He has provided and made ways when I didn't know if there would be a way. He has granted me above and beyond what I could have imagined. Yes, there are still so many unknowns. People ask me where I'm going to be in the countries we're going(cities, villages, the bush), where we will stay, what we will do, etc. And I don't know. I have no idea the answer to most of the questions I get about the World Race. But I'm okay with that because I know my plans will not compare with the plans the God of the Universe has for my squad and team.
It's taken me almost 30 years to learn and understand that I don't have control. That has not been fun. But I'm okay with it now (for the most part) because there is One so much greater that has it all under control. That doesn't mean that things won't go wrong or that we won't endure hardship. But it means that I know nothing will touch me or happen to me that has not been approved by my Father. I trust Him because I know He is for me…cheering me on and making a path that will lead to good. He has not given me a spirit of fear, rather a fierceness in me that is ready and roaring to go.
It is SO OBVIOUS to me in replaying the details of it all that God is SO ALIVE. The Newsboys version of the song, "God's Not Dead (Like A Lion)" has been such a powerful reminder of Truth to me over the past several months. On the first night of training camp, after we had our tents sent up and had eaten our (measly) dinners, we gathered for worship. The first song the band opened with that night was "God's Not Dead"; just another way that God spoke to me and confirmed to me that He is present and with me.
Be encouraged. God is not dead. He is at work. He wants our faith and trust, so that He can use us to do great things and to live a love so bold to bring a revolution somehow. MY GOD'S NOT DEAD. HE'S SURELY ALIVE.
