If I am honest, I rarely feel I make a tangible difference in others lives.
In fact that is part of what drew me to the world race.
I know for those 11 months I will physically see and be a part of what the Lord is doing in others lives.
I know I will be able to see my faith in action.
I love reading other racer's blogs who are on the race right now, and the amazing things the Lord is doing in and through them. I get more excited with each one I read.
It would be easy for me to be distracted by that and forget what God has already called me to.
I began telling the Lord several years ago that I wanted to go.
Where?
I wasn't sure. I just knew that I wanted to go.
I asked Him to send me to so many places. He always said no.
I didn't know why.
I kept hearing Him tell me "This is where I want you Shelley, stay here."
I didn't like that answer. I didn't understand it.
I didn't feel like I was making a difference here. So I thought if He would send me out into full time ministry, then He could use me, then I would be making a difference.
Now I look back over those several years at the things He has done in my life.
I see how He has grown me and changed me and prepared me and I realize that as He was doing all of that, He was also using me along the way to minister to others.
I don't have to be in full time ministry or missions to make a difference.
As long as I am yielded to His plan He can use me, even if it means staying put.
Now all of that is not to say I don't think the World Race is where I am supposed to be in this season.
I believe those last few years were teaching me obedience, patience, and trust.
They were preparing me for this.
God is sovereign,
and if I had not of stayed put, then I would have missed out on this opportunity and so many other blessings along the way….
So, I look forward to July and I can't wait to see what He is going to do while I'm gone, but as I wait I want to stay focused on the ministry He has given me here.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere"
James 3:17
