Why did I decide to do the World Race?
It was during the Spring semester of 2012 that I prayed a simple prayer, asking the Lord to get me out of this culture, this lifestyle, & and not only let me see the world, but experience the world from a different perspective in someone else's shoes. I was at the lowest point in my life, & if you read my blog, "Finally being Vulnerable," you will see why.
I was solely reliant upon the love of a man to complete me, and I yearned to be loved and feel love 24/7. I knew who God was, grew up learning all the Bible stories, & knew what I was supposed to do, to be right with Him: pray, be good, don't sin, respect my parents, don't drink, don't have sex before marriage, dress respectfully, don't stay out too late, don't cuss… blah blah blah. A list full of "don'ts".
This list began to eat at me, and all I could hear in my head was, but why not? Some of those things are fun? Why wouldn't God want me to have fun? Ha ha ha man was I messed up in the head. When this mentality set in, I began to realize that I was getting so tired of people who called themselves 'Christians.' They would dress nice on Sunday, go to church, play the part, & turn into a different person when they left the parking lot. The funny thing was I was becoming upset with the people I was just like!! I was so caught up with my own self image, my confidence in myself, & how others perceived me that I too was becoming the type of Christian that lived a life of "self".
Myself was who I lived for, who I was trying to please, & who wanted to feel confidence based on the compliments and praises from others. I lived by those praises. Without acceptance from others, my heart would begin to fall apart (read my blog entitled "The Great Prophet Barney" for more on that).
So why do you ask I decided to do the world race? I yearned for abandonment. In that prayer I prayed, I wanted nothing more than to get out of this culture, the lifestyle, and see a different type of Christian, one who lives, breathes, and does everything for Christ. I wanted to be surrounded by this, because I knew the second I was, it was going to be contagious!! I wanted to know God on a more personal basis, talk to Him as a friend, and not the lightning bolt throwing God many of us have misinterpreted Him as.
So when I learned about the World Race, I immediately said YES. I pursued it more than I have pursued anything in my life, felt the Holy Spirit more powerfully flowing through my veins than ever before, & knew this was what God wanted me to do. I had no doubts from the beginning, and still have no doubts going into it.
The second after I got accepted, I was completely and utterly surrounded with the most Godly group of friends, best friends, that I could've ever imagined. I've had many new World Race friends teach me things about Jesus I never understood before (like how He is our healer, and still is the same yesterday, today, & tomorrow), had friends challenge me on why I was so dependent on love (something I had heard before in my life, but never really listened or understood), had friends remind me of the enemies schemes (read blog "Steal, Kill, & Destroy"), and have come to find that a life of abandonment is not just something I have yearned for, but have been called to do.
Usually when I talk to people about the WR, they respond, "I could never do what you are going to do. It takes a courageous, special person." Although I appreciate that and understand their heart, it breaks my heart to hear this. Why? Because, I'm no better than anybody else. I'm a forgiven daughter, just like you're a forgiven son or daughter if you belong to Him. The only difference is, I've answered the call. As children of God, we've all been given that very same call… "Go and make disciples." It's the Great Commission! God has equipped each of us for such a time as this, whether stateside or overseas. The question is, what are you gonna do with the call and what are you waiting for? Go out and share the Gospel with somebody! If you walk in love, and become love, love never fails. So if God created you with love, for love, to be love, how could you ever fail? You can't!! You were made perfect, and He is pleased with you because you are His son or daughter.
Joining the World Race has not only taught me things about myself, but has opened my heart and mind to the thoughts and passions that the Lord has for my life. Because I was willing to listen, and begin abandonment, he has already begun to take me on this spiritual journey with Him. I cannot imagine what I will be blogging about 6 months from now. He is so good, and continues to show His goodness to me more and more each day!
Please follow me throughout this journey with Him, as I see a better understanding of His love, His creativity in the world, & the similarities of every human as I travel across many borders into different cultures, religions, & languages. I am so blessed to be able to make this journey, and blessed by my donors who have supported me along the way. I want each and every person to experience this with me, so please read the blogs, view the videos, & look at the pictures, because I will be praying over them that the Lord gives you a spirit of abandonment as well!!
Love you all, please contact me at any time via email ([email protected]) or facebook. I will also be keeping up with people via Skype (white_sarah), my webpage (sarahannwhite.com) or my world race official blog (sarahwhite.theworldrace.org). NO phone so please do not call! 🙂 Many blessings!
