All Right audience, here it goes.
You may or may not know that I am kind of a social media phobe. In spite of that, as any of you who know me REALLY well can attest, I do love to spew my thoughts stream of consciousness style on occasion.That said, maybe this blogging business will be fun.
……for me that is. You, dear reader, may have to suffer through miles of extra words. It is great if you are a fan of Jules Verne- but if you are more of a tweet person, you might not make it through. In fact I probably lost you long ago.
Breathe
So I am going on THE RACE. When I think of it I am SO PSYCHED!!! most of the time. No lies, sometimes I am afraid, kind of like before you go on a ski trail that is at the edge of your ability, of attempt a quarter you don't know if you can handle, or try a new drop or….I don't know….. when you are about to plunge into something and on one level you know you will probably survive, and that it will be a wild exciting challenging ride, but there is an element that makes you afraid- and strangely, that makes it even better.
Anyway, for those of you who are wondering why on earth I would want to go on something called The World Race, or even what it is, I'll attempt an explanation.
The World Race is an 11 month trip that takes racers to 11 different countries. The racers and their teammates do a variety of things from preaching (see… scary) to holding orphan babies, to spreading fertilizer in banana fields. Alumni racers emphasize is that every race is different, so who knows what I will be doing (you'll have to tune in for updates if you want to know! ). One thing I am sure of is that we will be doing Kingdom work, whatever needs to be done, and that it will be awesome. and good.
Why I decided to go: I don’t know when it started. when I was a little kid I wanted to be a missionary. not sure why I gave up that ideal, but as the last couple of quarters have passed by, instead of “job goal” taking shape in my head, something else has been pressed into my mind.
Heres the progression in a pistachio shell. 1. Cassie mentions World Race last year. 2. World Race booth at lifelight. 3. New roommate obsessed with WR 4. Winter retreat. 5. Perspectives (sending bible study- how was I to know?). So. Here I am. And the overriding things that have been impacting me are: You are blessed to be a blessing, and to whom much has been given much will be expected. Also you are accountable for what you have learned.
Now I am aware of some of my shortcomings, and I know I don't know everything by an infinitely long shot, but I know enough, and I KNOW I have been blessed, and that SO MUCH has been given to me. Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically.
Honestly, right now I feel drawn to The Race because I know it will be an amazing spiritual journey. It will force me to face so many of my fears, (talking to people about God for instance…). I have been told several times that I will be broken, but I know I will also be remade.
I realize that, while good, this personal aspect is not really the focus of mission. According to John Piper “mission exists because worship doesn't” And while I know this in my head I need more of it to trickle down to my heart. I am confidant that this change is in progress. As I wrestled with this idea, the thought came to me: “Do you think God can't use you to his glory even if you don't start with the “right” mindset?” And also, when does this “Ideal self” show up? Never. Because when the standard is perfection and the tool is human all you can do is grow, and be so glad that perfection does not depend on you any further than belief in the Savior.
