Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

I’m writing this as I sit in the Ft Lauderdale airport, spending the night at the airport with a few fellow World Racers before we leave for Santa Domingo in the morning. The past few weeks have been ones of emotional highs and lows. I’m so excited to be fulfilling a passion that the Lord has consumed my heart with since 8th grade, but also sad to say good-bye to my family and friends.

I sat outside stargazing at my parents’ house in my hometown a few nights ago, trying to get a grasp on the fact that my life is about to change dramatically. My childhood home has been the place that I’ve retreated to when my life gets crazy and my soul needs to be quieted. I’ve always thought there aren’t many things that family, friends, and the peacefulness of the country can’t solve.

In a sense, I’m not only mourning the loss of my life as I know it, but also the loss of the innocent mind-set that consumed my childhood. After choosing to go on this mission trip, I can no longer ignore the world and the enormity of its’ problems. I could still choose not to get on the plane and continue to stay in the safety net of my current life, while ignoring the constant tugging at my heart by the Lord to “do more”, but I won’t.

Luke 9:57-62 says:
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Just like this scripture, I have given God many excuses, never wanting to give up my own plans or expectations for my life. After lots of tears and shady good-byes of me cutting conversations short for fear of breaking down, I’ve decided that I have one of two choices: A) Throw a pity party for myself and mope around because I’m leaving behind everyone that I love and every aspect of my life. B) Realize that greatness of the blessings that the Lord has given me. Think about it. It truly is a blessing to have so many amazing family and friends in my life that are so difficult to say good-bye to, when in reality most of the world will never know such a love. To me, that sounds like a good problem to have :).
Will you join me on this journey with your prayers? I could try to begin this journey without covering it in prayer, but I will surely fail. This is the beginning of an amazing year! Love and miss you all so much.

“When you come to the edge of all the light you have known, and are about to step out into darkness, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen; There will be something to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.”
                                                                            -Richard Bach