Saying yes to the World Race is a big deal. Honestly, a lot bigger deal than I originally thought. Maybe it was because right before training camp was an extremely busy season at work, maybe because of health issues in my family, or the stress of moving out of my apartment the day before, but no matter the reason, my head was somewhere else when I stepped out of my Subaru and onto that Georgia clay in Gainesville on October 15th. I knew that the Lord had called me to this, specifically the Expedition Route, but I had yet to learn the enormity of that call.
At the beginning of camp, our leader, Chris, told us that by the end of camp, we would need to give this squad, this call, our yes. Woah, man. First day already laying it down.
Saying yes to the World Race means abandoning your comfortable life for one of uncertainty. Leaving the United States for 11 months to chase after the Lord, follow Him into the dark, attempting to leave His light in people, in cultures, in communities that you have never been to, that speak languages you do not understand—it’s a big deal. And add upon that, sweet Jesus called me to the Expedition Route. These countries have been on my heart for a while now, and the added sense of adventure calls to my spirit, but saying yes to Expedition means dying to myself in more ways than I can count. It means not talking to my family and friends at home very often while on the Race. It means pushing myself physically to limits that well… in Lindsey Lohan terms, “The Limit Does Not Exist.” (i.e. running 4 miles in an hour with our packs on and hiking 18 miles: EXPED don’t play, y’all) It means leaving behind comfort and completely immersing myself in a life of abandonment.
This call was nothing new to me; I had felt it before. I had felt it my sophomore year at Auburn when I wanted to quit school, move to Nicaragua, and work in an orphanage. I felt it June of this year when I applied to the World Race Expedition route. It’s been there, waiting for God’s timing.
When the day came to say yes I was flooded with emotions: excitement, nervousness, and peace all at once. We were going to have a “Yes Ceremony” where each squad member had to stand in front of each of our leaders and give them our Yes. Some of us joked about putting on our “yes clothes.” We wanted to look nice when we said yes! (we had been living outside for a week…we needed to change lol) Some were quiet, trying to absorb the reality of the situation. We are about to say yes to a year of abandon. A year of seeking out the least of these in the 10/40 window, the most unreached area of the world.
Honestly, I was scared that the Lord would tell me to say no. He’s done it before, and of course it was always for my good. At that moment the Lord could have said, “No, Kara. This actually isn’t for you.” He could have said, “It isn’t your time yet.” And I would have reluctantly obeyed. But, He didn’t.
I put on my yes clothes.
It was finally my turn. I stood in front of Clint and said, “HECK YES,” and he said it back. One by one I gave my yes, and in return they gave their yes to me. Me. They believe in us just as much as we believe we are called to this. It was so validating, so confidence building.
He chose me, and He chose well.
This doesn’t just apply to my World Race squad. This applies to you. Whatever the Lord has called you to. What is He asking you to give a yes to? What is He asking you to abandon?
Maybe the Lord is asking you to give Him a yes to teach English in Asia.
Maybe He is asking you to be a stay at home mom.
Maybe He wants your yes for a certain job or opportunity.
Maybe your yes means staying put where you are.
He has plans for you. He has a purpose for you, and He is asking for your yes, because He has already given you His.
Jesus gave you his yes.
He chose you, and He chose well. The Lord didn’t mess up when He placed you in the season you are in.
So, my challenge to you is to find your yes. Find what He is calling you to. And if you don’t know what that is, pray for it. Ask for it. Put on your yes clothes and open yourself up to what He has for you.
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If you would like to join me in saying Yes, and support my journey… check out the bracelet below. Each bracelet is unique: hand made and hand stamped by myself and Isy Goodman(my unofficial campaign manager 
).
All proceeds go towards my World Race mission trip launching in January 2016. Simply click the Support Me button, and donate $20. Then comment below with your address and your bracelet will be on its way!(or text to 251-656-1534) (Expedition racers and leadership: if you would like a bracelet, message me! You get a snazzy discount) Bracelets come in brown, teal, sage, and purple. If you would like to request a color please mention in your comment below.
