“Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
This verse is my holy ambition. It is the calling I believe the Lord has put on my life. He has put a passion in my heart for social justice, as well as a desire to love people around the world through my words and actions. I believe the World Race has given me the opportunity to do just that!
The Lord has been pursuing me my entire life, but it wasn’t until the end of my junior year of high school that I began to feel that pursuit. I remember lying in my bed, wondering what I truly believed, and desiring to learn more about God. He put it on my heart to buy a bible, so I went to our local Christian bookstore, and found one that seemed like it would be perfect for me; the only problem was that it was more expensive than I wanted to pay. Still not sure if this was something I wanted to invest in, I left empty handed. A few days later I still felt a longing, so I went back, and amazingly, the bible had been marked 50% off! I bought the bible and the rest is history 😉
I believe so strongly in the truth of Jesus Christ. He provides me with a peace and a love so intense, it is impossible to deny. When I think about Jesus and the gospel, it's not something that is just said; it's felt. My heart aches and bursts at the same time, and it's difficult for me to put that emotion into words. I feel like every adjective I try to put onto the feelings I have about the gospel only limit it's true beauty. All I can say is that Jesus is my Everything. He is my Savior and my Heart. He loves me so ridiculously much and because of that He died an unimaginable death; something that we could never fathom the pain of. He defied death, and in doing so, saved us from it. Security in heaven doesn't come from going to church, doing missions in Africa, or having pure morals. It comes solely from believing in Jesus and accepting Him as your Savior. Following Jesus has been the toughest, most beautiful decision I have ever made, and I hope to spend the rest of my life deciphering what it truly means to pick up my cross and follow Him.
So for a little bit about me, the first thing I have to say is that I am extremely blessed! I have wonderful, supportive parents who have taught me so much about the type of love that our Father preaches. I also have a beautiful younger sister who is not afraid to speak her mind, and truly be herself, which is one of the most admirable things about her. Beyond my immediate family, I also have an amazing extended family on both sides that is always very supportive of my many adventures! I am very lucky to have the family that I do! I also have an awesome community of friends at UW-Madison, men and women who have immensely blessed my life. While it will be incredibly difficult to leave these people in my life, I am beyond excited for the World Race, and I know that sometimes following the Lord means following the road less taken.
And to get a sneak peek at the little intricacies that define me, here are some things that I'm slightly obsessed with: Music (especially Mumford & Sons, It's kind of a problem), Invisible Children, Chocolate Mint Candy Canes, Stargazing, Books, book stores, anything to do with reading…, TOMS, Being spontaneous, Taking pictures, Experiencing new cultures, Vanilla Chai lattes, Soft blankets, Skiing, Watching Storms, Warm rain, Laughing until I cry, Prayer, Lilies, Night Walks and Babies 🙂
I will leave you with one of my favorite Mumford song lines:
Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be.
There is a design,
An alignment to cry,
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be.
