So, my wonderful small group leader Shawnté helped me make a fundraising video. In it, I share a little bit more of why the World Race! (please forgive me for my excessive hand gestures, blame my New Yorker parents!)
<span data-scayt_word="iframe" data-scaytid="8">iframe</span&<span data-scaytid="25" data-scayt_word="gt">gt</span>;> <br /> <br /> John Piper talks even more about the meaning of our lives and why we must give God ALL the glory. A warning though, Piper does not sugarcoat, he talks about scripture from the Bible in its purest form. So if there is a tough lesson to learn, he tells it straight up. He's also intelligent and speaks with authority, some of his sermons I have heard, I was lost within the first 5 minutes. So, before you read his writings or listen to his sermons, make sure you are well rested and have a pen and paper in front of you. I <span data-scayt_word="<span data-scaytid="42" data-scayt_word="garuntee">garuntee</span>" data-scaytid="296">garuntee</span> you'll want to take notes.<br /> <a href="http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper80/072780m.htm" _cke_saved_href="http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper80/072780m.htm" target="_blank">http://www.soundofgrace.com/<span data-scayt_word="piper80" data-scaytid="331">piper80</span>/072780m.htm</a><br />  </p>
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
"Why the World Race?"
Follow me. These two simple words have been appearing everywhere lately. In church, scripture, class, downtown Athens. It's like there is a never ending tug-of-war game going on. I'm in the middle, the world is pulling me left and the Lord is calling me right. In the end, it all comes down to my decision, no one else's. It would be so easy to just let go and give into the world and all it's beautifully adorned and seductive temptations. But, I have been given the understanding of something greater. I have been shown a life without chains, one filled with joy and true fulfillment. I still see the hard times; I am still touched by cancer, sickness, self-doubt, insecurity, tears and death. But the difference is, despite all of that, I have been given sight to see the light, hope, freedom and love. I have not chosen to gain this understanding and faith, I have been given it by God, the Father of all.
Ever since I realized there is so much more to life than what we do in our social and professional lives, I began searching for a path after college that would put me in line with the Lord's purpose. That's when I remembered the World Race. I was introduced to it at Passion 2010 and had put it in the back of my mind as just another one of my crazy big dreams. Then, as I began my senior year at the University of Georgia, I started seriously considering this adventure of a lifetime.
The more I ask for the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His, the wider He opens my eyes to all that He loves and wants me to love. The beaten and abused mother of 2 children, lost and hopeless in Uganda;
the young Thai woman working the streets of Thailand whether through physical or circumstantial force; the two orphaned sisters that were beaten and given up by their drunk mother only to be beaten and neglected by their grandparents in Nicaragua; the widow and grandmother left alone and seemingly hopeless in a gypsy village of Romania. These are real stories of real people shared by previous and current World Racers.These stories are the reason I am so eager to being my World Race journey. Every time I read a blog about redemption, healing, hope restoration, freedom, love…I get overwhelmed with joy. Sometimes I get SO excited that I literally cannot keep it inside, so I burst out with a big YELP, holler or hurray! There are so many reasons why I know this is where the Lord wants me, but to get a better glimpse, just subscribe to my blog and follow me throughout this journey as I not only experience new parts of the world, but also learn more about myself and the true provision and love of Jesus!
