For most of us, yesterday was all about celebrating our freedoms. Spending time with loved ones, eating hot dogs, donning red, white, and blue in every way possible. Its a time for reflection and gratitude and fireworks. Celebrating the spirit of a nation and a peoples independence.
But for others, July 4th was a declaration of dependence,a surrendering of the freedoms the rest of us were relishing. Yesterday four new squads of World Racers embarked on their eleven month journey into the nations.
One such brave adventurer was a girl from our church! Ms. Sarah Briggs! It was late last Fall when I met Sarah for the first time. A big group of us had gathered for a worship night when she came up to me and said, you did the world race, right? and following my gleeful reply, she began to tell me my own story of being called to the mission field, only it was hers. I could hear the excitement and fear in her voice as she uttered a variation of those words I feel all Racers must have said at some pointIts crazy, but I know I have to do it. Then and there, I knew she was in! And my spirit rejoiced at the courting process I was witnessing. I was getting to be an observer to the very steps God walked me through two years ago.
Over the next few months, things progressed rapidly. And inevitably, challenges arose that made leaving all the more difficult. Selling all her possessions, leaving a stable career, saying goodbye to her godly man to heed Gods call on her life. All the while, Luke and I prayed for her and cheered for her. Not because the World Race is a perfect organization, but because we saw the pull of God on her and knew obedience would be the toughest, but only thing she could do in response. And we both knew what a difference that year made in my life. Teaching trust, faith, and utter dependence on God and his children.
This process is so humbling at so many levels. Sarah has already begun to learn the humility of support raising. And I often remind her, as I was reminded, that you are not asking for YOU. For many people, service projects are maybe monthly or missions trips yearly. It is difficult in our culture to commit much more of our time. Butevery day for the next 11 months, Sarah and her fellow Racers will be volunteering. And support from those of us who cant be there enables her to serve the least of these.
As adults, we often become pretty self reliant. We work, we pay our rent, we make our meals, we plan. But on the Race, things change. You surrender that autonomy for real, raw community and often, someone else plans your meals, schedules your day, arranges your accommodations. Most days you have NO IDEA whats going to happen. And its a beautiful thing!
But the most important part of this journey is the absolute dependence you have on God. For protection, provision, energy, strength, words, wisdom, love to break open your heart for the margins only to have to pack up and leave to do it all again. This is a lesson you cannot put a price tag on.
Luke and I couldnt be more elated for Sarah and the journey God has begun with her and the others like her! If you believe in what God did in my life through this trip, please join us in cheering Sarah on til the end (which is really just the beginning)! Heres how you can help:
1. Sign up to receive her blog http://sarahbriggs.theworldrace.org/(see the left hand side to subscribe via e-mail!)
2. Commit to praying for her and her team regularly.
3. Send her a quick e-mail or word of encouragement via her blog! (it meant so much to me!)
4. Support her financially. She is still only half way there, but ANY amount helps! Even $5/month for the 11 months! Pray about what you can give.
Sarahs team name is Oaks and they got it from Isaiah 61:1-3 which says:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lords favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Those incredible words are what they pray this year that they may be used in every way for Gods glory! Will you partner with them?
