I’ll admit it: I’m guilty of frequently asking, “What if?”
More often than not, though, it ends up turning into a list of things that would not have happened as opposed to what would have happened. One of the easiest examples that comes to mind: what if I had gone to any school other than Jamestown? At certain places I may have been involved in marching band or something else we did not have at JC, but I would not have met everyone that I cannot imagine my life without. I would not have the amazing memories that I do from my time there, from a late night walk to the grocery store to not being able to stop laughing during play rehearsal, to the exhausting yet exhilarating cross-country choir tours. Maybe I would have studied abroad in Spain, but very likely not in the same place that I now consider a home – and where I have a family, despite not being related by blood.
Another question that has been on my mind for quite some time: What if I had done the World Race?
Considering this is my World Race blog that probably sounds strange, so let me explain. I first heard about the Race about four years ago and immediately thought it sounded amazing. Two years ago I applied and got accepted, but for a number of reasons chose not to go. Since then, that particular “What if?” has been lingering in the back of my mind.
Yet, as I look back over the past couple years, I am still thankful to have been where I am. The main reason? The people. It never ceases to amaze me how God brings exactly the people you need into your life. Just like the song “For Good” from Wicked talks about. The women from my chorus are like a big family. I have been attending a Spanish church service for the last six months or so and formed many friendships there.
There is also a life group I have been a part of for about a year now centered around missions. Some people have never gone on a mission trip but are generous supporters, others have done countless short-term trips or spent years on the field. For much of my life, missions seemed like something exotic. I knew a few people that were missionaries, but they were the “chosen few” in my mind. If I still held that notion, this group would eliminate it. It is encouraging to be surrounded by so many people with such a heart for sharing the gospel with the world and hear their experiences. And in regards to that “what if,” I can almost guarantee that I would not have attended that life group had I gone on the Race the first time.
I wanted to go before, but now I’m ready.
The support and encouragement of all those I have gotten to know the past couple years means so much, and as cliche as it may sound, God’s timing really is perfect.
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