When people first find out you’re going to do something like travel to 11 countries in 11 months with all your earthly possessions in a pack on your back, you get a wide range of reactions. Some people say, “That’s so awesome – I wish I could do something like that!” Others say things like, “I cannot imagine. That sounds kind of terrible – no offence.” But sooner or later, everyone asks the age-old question: “Why?”
I’d like to say it all started with a Facebook ad for The World Race, but really, I think God has used every circumstance in my life to lead up to this. But for the sake of this post, we’ll say it did start with that Facebook ad. Then it was a Tweet. Then I heard a radio commercial. All within about a week of each other. So I figure I should probably check this out… God may be trying to get my attention.
So I looked.
And looked some more.
And read about 50 blog posts from World Racers. And looked at every route. And thought This looks interesting. It would be exciting to travel to 11 countries. And 11 months isn’t that long. So I told one of my mentors at work one day. He told his wife, another of my mentors, and the three of us prayed about it. Then I told my mom about it over the phone. And talked about it with my mom and dad at dinner the next day. They said to go for it.
Then I saw this video:
And it bugged me. A lot. It consumed my thoughts. I looked into it. You know what, there’s no clause about us making disciples. It doesn’t say “those who are called, go into all the world…” It just says, “Go.” Now, I’m a firm believer that we can make disciples where ever we are: home, school, work, the grocery store. I don’t think we all have to go across oceans to make this happen. But some of us do.
So I applied.
I thought I’ll just apply, and if I’m accepted, I’ll go. But I probably won’t be accepted. I filled out the profile. I did an online interview that asked questions I honestly didn’t want to answer. I did an interview over the phone. My mentors sent in character references.
One night, while I was waiting to hear back, I was driving home, and the song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong came on the radio. I’ve heard that song before, but that night, I heard that song. When it got to the part of “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the water, wherever you will call me,” I realized I genuinely meant it. More than a “give me an opportunity” way; in a “I am begging you to please use me for this! Take me deeper than my feet could wander! Let me walk on the water! Send me! I’ll go!” kind of way.
I thought This race will push me farther than I think I can go. It will make me think deeper. It will make me trust more. It will make me open up. It will make me abandon myself to follow after God.
My interviewer called me, and she said, “There are some things you need to work on. But, we would love to accept you to go on The World Race, Route 4, launching in January. You’re about to be bombarded with information. I hope you’re ready!”
She wasn’t kidding, and I wasn’t ready.
There is so much to be done. So many people to talk to. So much money to raise. But I have this calming peace about it all. Because more important than all of that, are all the people who need to experience the love of God in practical ways. and the opportunity to pursue God in an all-in, no plan-b kind of way.
That’s how I know I’m supposed to go.
That’s how I know I’ve been called.
That’s why I’m going.
Because, if not me, then who?
And, if not now, then when?
