Sometimes when I think about the World Race I get so overwhelmed and nervous that I want to throw up.
Its not that I don’t want to go, its more of I do not do the unexpected and I am about to be in for a year of unexpected.
This freaks me out.
So I have to remind myself constantly why I chose to follow this call that the Lord placed on me. Why I chose to say yes instead of laugh in God’s face and continue on my way.
When I was in high school a theology teacher of mine showed us the Invisible Children movie. It was in that moment that my world expanded from proms and relationships to the lives and problems of others around the world. I think that was the moment I knew that someday I wanted to help change the world.
Fast forward about 6 years and God is calling me to this crazy thing called the World Race where I will travel to 11 countries in 11 months speaking the truth of God’s unfailing love and kindness into peoples lives. At first it was something I pushed against because I was comfortable with my life and what I was doing but God can be very convincing when He wants to be and has convicted me to be a light to the world.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
I am making this verse my theme to my Race. This is what I want and what I want to be as I go to the nations and do work in the Lord’s name. I want to show people who Jesus is by loving, serving and ministering to them.
I love the students I work with now. I love being a youth pastor and not only helping them grow in their faith but guiding them through the tough and unforgiving world of middle school and high school. As I go on World Race I want to show my students that there is more to the world than what is immediately around them. I want to show them that this is how I am following Jesus. I want to help ignite the spark of missions in at least one heart.
And the Race is something that I want to do for my own walk with God as well. I have never had to put my faith completely in Him. I want the chance to give everything I have and everything I do over to His power. I have always been someone who likes control over her circumstances and I want the chance to give that away.
I have loved the life I have lived so far but I am looking for a life that is surrendered completely to the Lord. I want a life that I live fully every day, where I go to sleep satisfied from the day. I want adventure and community and a deeper relationship with God and His creation that will rock me to the core.
