Everything.
Ok, so perhaps most of this #1 Tina Turner hit single doesn’t apply here (or really, any of it for that matter), but this line just gets me every time (and yes, I belt it out with a hairbrush like any other diva would)! And, when read apart from the context of the song, I think it’s a perfectly appropriate question. What DOES love got to do with it? Well, in the case of the World Race, love is the motivation. Love is my entire driving force! Love’s got EVERYTHING to do with it!
“God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
Over the past 7 months, an overwhelming amount of people have asked why I am doing this, inquiring about what I hope to accomplish, what draws me to this type of ministry. Why do I feel it’s worth the risk of possibly losing my life or contracting some terrible disease? Why am I willing to sacrifice a year of my life to do something like this? Why am I not more concerned with getting married and starting a family? Why would I choose to live in a tent without running water or electricity or a warm comfy bed, and 2 closets filled with wardrobe options, and… (things we rarely view as luxuries, but definitely are)? Is it just for a crazy vacation? Is it to travel the world so I have super awesome stories and pictures to share? Some even go as far as to ask if the objective is to shove my faith down the throats of all whom I encounter (literally, that’s how it’s been phrased!).
Then, there are the people who know me well, the people who, from the very second they heard about this incredible opportunity, began to pray, encourage, and support me. These are people who, over the course of our friendships, have come to know my heart for the hurting people of this world (and all people really), and my desire to make life for others just a little but sweeter. These people rarely ask why, in fact, most of them usually say something like, “You were made for this,” or, “Mandy, God’s been preparing you for this your entire life. Go get ‘em, tiger!” Ok, so maybe they don’t call me tiger, but you get the point.
For all who have wondered why the heck I’m doing this World Race thing, or who perhaps are curious about what I’m really hoping to achieve and/or get out of this journey, this should shed some light—
Ever since I was 5 years old, I’ve had a desire to change the world (think pink power ranger- meets Bono- meets Christian Children’s Fund commercial guy- meets Dr. Quinn, Medicine woman- meets Walker Texas Ranger- meets Jesus). That was how I envisioned my future, kickin’ butt and takin’ names! (in the most nonviolent way possible of course!)**Enter musical mash-up of Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” mixed with the Karate Kid theme song**
The truth is, I believe we all have gifts, and that God’s given me an incredible ability to love, something I’m far from perfect at putting into practice, but that I’ve always known He was calling me to use in special ways. Add to that my outgoing and friendly nature and a go-getter, adventure-seeking, YOLO attitude #yesididjustsayyolo, and well, you’ll see that the World Race just seems to have been perfectly crafted for me. That’s something that’s difficult to run from, no matter the possible “what ifs” and “worst-case scenarios.” I am choosing to follow His lead as I embark on this journey to learn how to better live in love, and how to better recognize His love for me, LET Him love me, and to revel in that love!
Now, with an understanding of my mindset and heartset of sharing love, these also hold true as motivation:
-To make a REAL impact on the lives of those in the 11 countries to which I’ll be travelling. No real change can be made if you’re always afraid to step out into the uncomfortable, dangerous, or unknown. Impact only follows from taking risks, and trusting the Lord to protect and strengthen you amidst struggle. It’s not supposed to be easy! (James 1:2-4)
-There is NO EXCUSE for people to be dying from a lack of food or shelter or clean water or diseases that are 100% preventable/treatable. Children should not be forced into sexual slavery and people with disabilities are JUST AS deserving of life and love as any other human being. Orphans need love and affection, 8 year olds should not be parenting their 3 younger siblings, and just as you and I crave hope and forgiveness and unconditional love, so do all people of all nationalities on all continents. I can’t make everything better, but I can try to do SOMETHING to help, and I can give a pretty darn good hug!
-As a Christian, I truly believe that if I should perish while on the Race, I’ll be united with Christ in heaven, and well, that’s really the worst-case scenario becoming the best-case scenario!
-I really love to travel, experience new cultures, meet beautiful people (who in this case can’t verbally communicate with me well, but who can relate to the desire to love and be loved), and I’m such a foodie (thanks, dad!). These, of course, are just bonuses. Oh, and I really want to see giraffes. And ride an elephant. And go for a jog in all of God’s gorgeous and diverse creation. And actually use my 9.5 years of Spanish education to talk with people in Central America! I’d be lying if I weren’t honest about these things.
-I of course want others to see Christ in me, and my entire team, and come to know Him through the love we share and the relationships we build with them, however, this might come as a shock to some of you (and might even upset others): my main objective is NOT to save them, or convert them, or force them to believe and act and live as I do. I’m not doing the World Race so that I can try to manipulate people into receiving Christ as their Savior, or to only help them if they promise to become Christians (it’s ridiculous that I even had to clarify this!). No, transforming hearts is the work of the One who is sending me. I can’t change hearts, but I can, however, use the transformed one I’ve been given to love the widows and orphans, and fight against the evil and oppression of this world, while continuing to grow in my own faith and sanctification, praying for God to do what He does best in the hearts of all involved (James 1:27).
-There’s much to be said for simplistic living and removing the shackles of materialism, technology, immediacy, and self-comsumption that we, as a society, have become accustomed to. Deeper appreciation for one another and raw community excites me!
-Overcoming my fears of eating insects, killing creepy crawlers, and mastering the “squat ‘n pee.”
-Finally, I am praying that through this experience, God would show me His next step for my future, giving me a sense of direction when I return (what type of ministry/non-profit work, lifestyle, location, family, etc.)
So what about you, why do you do what you do? What’s love got to do, got to do with it? It’s something to think about…
