What’s going on World Race community! So, I’m a little less than four months away from my departure on the World Race, route 2, and I can’t believe how excited I am this far out. My job as a lifeguard just ended and I am beginning to call potential supporters about my financial need. I’m sure I’m not the only racer to experience this, but this task is kinda scary and a little daunting. I am not sure if it is a fear of rejection, a fear of annoying people, or a fear that I won’t be able to adequately express the works God has laid on my heart. It’s probably a mix of all three, either way; I would appreciate any time you would spend in prayer for myself and other racers raising support so that we can live lives worthy of being called Christ’s disciples.
Now to get into what I expect from this trip, the reason I originally thought I sat down to write today. I’m not going to get into all of the physical aspects of this trip I expect. If you are anything like me, you've been reading tons of current racer's blogs about crazy travel days, tight sleeping quarters, and beautiful countries and cultures. And I expect to experience similar events; however, my only true expectations are to know Christ and to grow more in Him.
1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
This passage of scripture invokes me to think two things: First, what where Christ’s commandments?
Matt 22: 36-39 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
And
Matt 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
So what does it mean to love the Lord with ALL your heart, soul, and mind? That is a question I hope answer on the World Race. I know it doesn’t involve watching pointless television programs or blowing time on the internet with time drainers like tower defense games or Facebook. However, these items have a great appeal because they are entertaining. Whether I like to believe it or not, growing up as an American youth, my number one goal has primarily been entertainment, not loving God for all He has given me. That is part of the “self” that I wish to deny! That part of me that thinks my time is best spent pleasing myself or just being entertained. It’s my desire to be around men and women with the same goal, to put the love of God and the love of others before the love of one’s self.
This brings me to the second part from 1 John 2:3-6 about abiding in Him: Through the World Race I have a tremendous opportunity to “walk just as He walked”, with the will of the Father always in mind!
John 6:38-40 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
And
Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
God willing, the individuals I minister too on this trip will be able to see His Spirit in me. So that they can understand the love of God I have come to know and see that the world has a great purpose when you walk with the One who created it. That the God of this world takes no pleasure in the death of man and would rather see all return to Him than perish (2 Peter 3:9).
I love this passage from Matthew. Christ prays to the Father, as we should, asking that the humiliating torture and undeserved death He is about to suffer be taken from Him. However, not if it is only His will, but it be the will of the Father that He fulfills. I have no doubt that the World Race is what my Father wants me to be doing for the next year of my life. I pray that He will continue to work in me as I turn from my selfish desires to walk the road He has laid out for me.
God bless, Mark Rowdon
P.S. If anyone from the second route in January is reading this blog I hope you are as excited as I am!!! I would love to hear from you! 571-228-0890, please leave a message 
