It’s difficult to describe what happens
internally when the Spirit speaks, and it seems contrary to all human logic.
Yet, in the Bible, there are dozens of accounts when God told someone to do
something, and they were like, “say what?!?!”
Last month I only had 6 weeks to raise the
remaining $4,000 to stay on the race. In all honesty the thought of going home
early had come to mind, but I pushed it away thinking, “nope! I’ve got to
finish this race. God will provide; it will be ok”.
Then one day, I was talking with a teammate, and
she mentioned that when I wholeheartedly wanted to remain on the race, God
would provide the rest of the money.
My first thought was, “but I really DO want
to stay on the race!”…then I noticed there was something in my heart
holding me back from fully believing that statement. I came before God, my
heart open to Him, and declared for the first time what was holding me back: I
didn’t feel fully at peace about finishing out the last 5 months on the race.
I don’t really know why this was so…I just knew
that after lots and lots of prayer in the following days, I felt much more
peace about going home than staying on the race.
During my numerous discussions with God about
what to do, a few fears came up in the form of excuses to stay on the race.
These included fear of failure – “if you don’t finish the race, you’ll
never accomplish anything in life – it will just be another failure in your
record book”, and the fear of what others will think, “if you leave
now, you won’t belong with this group of people anymore, you won’t be accepted,
and you’ll look like a fool!” But as I talked with God about these, He
revealed them as the lies they were, and the lame excuses they would be to stay
on the race.
I have found a lot of freedom in shutting down
these lies, and walking against them. I know God’s plans for me are perfect,
whether that includes the full 11 months on the World Race or just 6 months. I
also know that I am accepted just because God loves me and accepts me, and I
have been able to walk in that confidence more now than ever before!
SO, I am excited to inform you that I am writing
this blog in America! I arrived home a couple days ago…it’s been an
interesting transition so far – I think I’m experiencing more culture shocks in
America than I did on the race! =P
I am SO thankful to all of you who
supported me through the last 6 months on the World Race! I saw so much,
learned so much, and grew so much during those months! I had just enough in my
WR account to get me to this point, so thank you all so much for your donations!
God used them for His glory in many ways!
It was such a blessing to be on the World Race,
and I know my time around the world will continue to affect and grow me as I
step forward into what God has for me in America! =)
