We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to the World Race. Here’s my story…
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”
Isaiah 58:10
In Christian culture, there are some verses that we try to ignore. We try to explain away our call to the poor, to the afflicted by making excuses…
“it doesn’t make sense to go there. I need to get a job and pay those bills”
“I don’t have the money..and why would I ask other people to support me when it’s so much cash?”
“someone else is called to those people. It’s just not me.”
“I love America. I’m happy here. It’s not my job to go. Missionaries do that stuff.”
“I have a family and friends here. Why would I want to leave these people?”
All of the above excuses have come out of my mouth at some point in time in my life. And all of them are rooted in one thing: sin. Pride. Selfishness. Me. Me. Me.
However, a few years ago when I first came to college, I joined a class through Columbia International University called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement . Perspectives literally changed my perspective on how I saw missions. My peers in the class along with the instructors challenged me weekly to look at the scriptures that made me uncomfortable (such as all of the ones I sited above) and apply them to my life.
Because if you think about it, as a believer, you cannot truly claim to follow Christ while selectively obeying Him.
In Perspectives, I learned the phrase that many believers follow: “we are planning to go, but willing to stay.”
It was then that I began to pray that Jesus would use me in this present moment in Columbia, while planning for the fact that He may call me to the ends of the earth one day.
A little over a year after taking Perspectives, I was on the track at the gym this past May, jogging in circles, praying about the usual stuff.
“Jesus, what do you want me to do after I graduate? I’m a little confused.”
I heard His voice clearly and it stopped me dead in my tracks. “Go.”
“What?! Go where?! When? How?!”
Silence.
So I continued to pray about it, asking Jesus to give me guidance. I wanted an answer. I wanted direction. But oh, I wanted adventure. I started researching different missions agencies and found Adventures in Missions.
Eventually, through a series of doors closing in my face, it became clear that the World Race was where I was supposed to be.
So to be honest, I’m scared. I’m excited. I’m learning what it is to truly seek the Lord and obey even when it isn’t comfortable…but most of all, I’m ready to be broken and to truly learn what it is to follow Him into the places where others are desperate for the gospel.
So get ready, world. I’m ready for the nations!
