His Plan, My Purpose

When I first got selected for The World Race- I was thinking to myself, "REALLY? God picked ME???" It's no secret that I haven't necessarily been the "holiest" person throuhout my life. I mean, don't get me wrong, no one is perfect (not even some of the Saints). But, there was definitely a time when I wasn't even trying. I was living life on my terms, and even ran around with a pretty rough crowd, a time or two. I didn't care about the consequences of my actions. I was complacent towards my relationship with God and had given up on my faith, what little I had to begin with. 

So- it definitely shocked me when I was told that God had chosen me to go on The World Race, this January 2013.

My first instict was to shy away- thinking there was some sort of mistake. How could someone like me- with a past full of mistakes and failures, be asked to go on a mission to spread the loving name of Jesus Christ to 11 different countries? I didn't know if I was cut out for the job… but something inside me whispered, "Just take it one day at a time and trust Me." 

And that's exactly what I've been doing. I took the largest leap of faith that I've ever taken- and decided to fully commit to The Race. There are still so many unknowns, and I would be lying if I didn't say that I still have my freak out moments…..  Am I really doing this? Can I go away for that long with nothing but a pack-pack? Can I camp for months on end? Right now??? At 26 years old (27 when the Race officially starts)?? How am I going to get everything taken care of before I leave? HOW AM I GOING TO RAISE THE MONEY? What about my bills while I'm gone? How do I get out of my rent situation? How will work take the news? 

But then I stop. 
Shut my eyes. 
Take a deep breathe and…..

Choose to listen to that whisper in my ear- "Take it one day at a time and trust Me." 

Even though its just the beginning- I can honestly say that my faith in God has grown tremendously over the past few weeks. God has truly been working miracles daily to reassure me of His plan for me to go on The World Race. Any time I have doubted my decision- God has strategically placed people/situations into my life, only to reassure me that everything will fall into place.

He told me to have confidence in His plans for me- through a random text message from a girl I have never met- reminding me to "approach the throne of grace with confidence to find mercy and grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). 

He calmed my nerves about the fundraising process through a random encounter with a young couple in my mom's neighborhood one Sunday afternoon. They willingly shared multiple ideas from how they raised money to adopt their little girl from China. 

He even showed me a glimpse of how everything will work out- by allowing the conversation with the property leasing agent to flow so easily- by talking about her love for Africa and the places I would encounter on The World Race, before letting me know that she would go ahead and let us out of our lease early. 

These are just a few examples of how He has truly been there for me through this entire process.