“Whenever there is a recurring pattern or theme in your life, God is trying to tell you something.”
My best friend quoted this to me as she explained her need to move back to Auburn, our college town, and begin her calling in college ministry. It was a bittersweet confession, as I felt God had begun giving me glimpses of His plan for her a few months prior, and I was ecstatic to see it coming into fruition. Yet my heart broke slightly at the thought of my best friend and spiritual sister moving away.
You see, God had allowed us the precious privilege of being spiritual “partners in crime.” Best friends in college, we reunited in Birmingham, AL in 2011 and even worked at the same elementary school. We continued to live our “lukewarm Christian” lifestyle until the day God called us to more and we decided to actually listen. From that day, we both embarked on a spiritual journey that would forever change us, and God allowed us to make that journey together for over a year. This year He would speak to us each individually and compel us to fearlessly follow His calling on our lives, taking us in separate directions, yet toward the same ultimate goal: to make disciples.
*You can view our story at the end of this post.
My journey toward The World Race goes a little something like this……
I was on the way to my first short-term mission trip to Haiti in 2012. I boarded the plane, eager and slightly nervous to see who my 'flying partner' would be for the next few hours. I took my seat and peered down the isle, pleading with God to place someone delightful beside me. I remember seeing him coming- scrawny legs, crazy hair, probably on drugs (so I thought). “Nooooo, not this one, God!” was likely my judgmental response. He sat down right beside me. Mmmmmkay.
But God has a way of putting you in your place real quick. As he struck up a conversation with me, I was almost embarrassed to tell him that I was going to Haiti on a mission trip to share the love of Jesus and serve the people there. (I was kind of new at this, and hadn't quite figured out how to put my yearning into words without sounding too cliche.) To my surprise, this crazy-haired young man was on his way to visit some friends he had made while on the World Race. This was the first time I had heard about the race, but it sure wouldn't be the last.
The World Race became a pattern in my life that next year- a calling that God was gradually warming me up to, each time causing a stirring in my heart to know more. One of the leaders of the first small group I joined, a close friend exploring her missions options, and a new friend who had done the race 2 years prior, would all play a role in God's sovereign plan to get me on that race– to place the opportunity right in my face as if to ask, “Are you willing?”
I am now.
Update: Sydney has now moved to Auburn. She knows that God has called her to college ministry, and she has an inkling that might involve a coffee shop ministry, but she is walking in faith alone until God provides. He has already provided her with a roommate, an apartment, and a few connections in the Coffee Ministry world. The girl's got big dreams. God dreams. And I can't wait to see God follow through with the inspiration that He has given her. I am so proud of you, Sydney! And so is your Papa!
Sydney's and My Testimony Video
