Hey awesome people!
Thanks so much for checking out my blog. Honestly, this is not something I'm stoked about. I'm a mostly private person, and I express emotion as frequently as Democrats and Republicans agree on the size of the government. Therefore blogging, which is pretty much the most prominent way folks these days purge their emotions, is not something I look forward to. However, while you won't see me wearing my heart on my sleeve often, one of the things that the Lord is pushing me toward is vulnerability. Even publishing these words makes me feel uncomfortable. But Hey, this whole trip will be full of things that are uncomfortable right?
Here I decided to compile a list of some frequently asked questions that I have received when I tell people about my plans to go on the World Race. Hopefully there will be some information here to answer some questions you might have. Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any other questions or would like to know more.
Part 1
-Wait, so weren’t you working at Target or something?
Yes, I was in executive management at Target. I enjoyed my time there, but resigned in May in order to pursue another job in Colorado.
-Ok, so you’re living in Colorado now?
Well no. hah! Call it a rookie mistake, or just life, but that job in Colorado didn’t pan out, and I regrouped back at home to determine my next steps. In hindsight, I might have done things differently, but hey, it led me to this awesome adventure, so I’m not complaining. “The heart of a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9
– Don’t you have a (/an incredibly gorgeous, fun, Jesus loving, and way out of your league) girlfriend? How is that going to work?
Well, you are indeed correct! I’m in a relationship with a beautiful young lady named Lindsay. We have been together for just over a year. Basically, she is awesome. Although it will be hard and incredibly challenging, this is what she had to say when I told her I was thinking about going:
“Well I honestly feel good about it. I think you need this, and that it will be good for you. Here’s the deal, as you grow on your journey, I’ll be seeking the Lord and growing in my own ways as well. If the Lord has us together, then this year will be an investment in our family. We will both be stronger and better people after the race, and we will have a strong foundation for our future. If, however, we end up not making it, I know the Lord has a plan, and he is not going to leave either one of us hanging for making a decision to follow Him. If we break-up, He has something better for us. If we don’t, we will have grown individually and spiritually, and will be better equipped to do life together.”
DANG.
What kind of person has that foresight, maturity, and confidence? My girlfriend, that’s who. :). So that is how “it’s going to work.” We are going to proceed by seeking the Lord, and taking it one day at a time.
– So you’re telling me you graduated college, completed grad school, got a girlfriend, started a stable job, and now you’re leaving the country? Why in the world?
Haha honestly there are times when I ask myself the same thing. This decision did not come easy (more on that in a future blog post Here). However, this is what I know. I know that I have been thinking about doing the race for a couple of years. I know that I want to experience community, grow in my faith, and seek the Lord. I know that I want to see His creation, have relationships with different people, be immersed in different cultures, and learn to love as He loves. I know that I always want to grow, develop, see new things, have new adventures, etc. I know that right now, this might be my last chance to do something like this. This opportunity is something that comes once in a lifetime, and I’m not going to pass it up.
– Can’t you just settle down, start a career, raise a family, and do mission work locally? What’s wrong with that?
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and nothing. All of those things are amazing. Honestly, I’m excited about doing all of those things at one point or another in my life. I understand the thought process behind this question, and I have no frustrations with it. Here’s the deal. Some people have made decisions that affect their ability to do things like the World Race. There is nothing wrong or “less Christian” about being active in church, raising a family, and making money. After all, someone has to have the money to be able to give, and you can seek the Lord in your cubicle just as you can in Africa. In fact, I firmly believe that having and raising kids in the Lord is one of the highest callings in life. However, right now I am in a position where I still have a choice, and I still have the ability to go. God would not love me any less if I didn’t go, nor does He love me any more if I do go. God loves me because Jesus saved me. That’s it.
So as St. Augustine famously quipped, “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved."
That's all for now! Check back for part 2!
