I can resonate with Robert Frost’s final words:
“I took the road less traveled by and it has made all of the difference.”
Two years ago, I chose to take a leap of faith and place life on pause, or what I thought was placing my life on pause, to pursue God overseas for a year through the World Race. Little did I know, instead of placing my life on pause, I actually started waking up each day to the life God had been calling me to be a part of for so long.
A life lived with meaning and purpose beyond what I could make with my own two hands or intellectually pass my way through.
A life where everything was flipped upside down. I was no longer in control.
A life where the only constant, day to day person or thing I could rely on was God. Let me tell you, once you’re reliant on someone like Jesus, you make a bigger effort to spend intentional time with Him daily. He’s your daily bread.
Two years ago, I thought I was trading a year of my life to go see the world through God’s eyes and serve, only to get back to the life I had dreamed of for years.
But, oh, I was so wrong.
Today marks my 16th, and final, month on the World Race.
God has shaken, shifted, and turned my entire life upside down. He changed my perspective on what it means to follow Christ. No longer am I seeking a career that will benefit and go well with the comfortable, safe life I envision myself living. No longer do I see God as a distant creator who is kind of working in the details of my life.
God took me around the world not once, but twice to wake me up and show me His kingdom and His people.
He used the Race to truly show me that if I’m to get only one thing in my lifetime, it’s to acknowledge that God so fiercely loves me and only desires to be reunited with me. He wants me to receive his love freely and, in turn, give it away to everyone I come into contact with. Matthew 22:37-39
That’s exactly what I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing. I’m going to be Christ through the way I love and live my life. My greatest platform for Christ is my daily actions and the way I love others.
No longer am I seeking to find the perfect career that will be comfortable and enjoyable. All I’m looking for now are more ways to be Christ to a world that needs to receive God’s perfect love.
Two years ago, I chose not really knowing that I was taking the road less traveled by, but it has made all the difference in my life.
It’s taken me from a good life to an abundant life. It’s brought me through hardship, pain, and given me a fresh perspective on what it means to live for Christ.
As I head into my final month of pursuing God wholeheartedly in the Race setting and pouring my heart and relationship with the Lord into racers, I stand grateful and ready. Ready to take on whatever adventure, perspective shift, growth moment, and challenge the Lord has for me.
Friends and family, I land back on US soil June 11th and I have absolutely no future career plan, job opportunity, reservation, commitment, or even plan to stay anywhere long term. For the first time in my life, I am absolutely ecstatic about it.
Jesus wrecked me on this road less traveled, but I will never regret choosing this path.
I’m ready to live wherever He calls me, love like He does, and be a loud encouragement for the Kingdom.
Thank you for being a part of God’s work in shaping my life in these past 16 months. Thank you for standing by me and encouraging me as I’ve pursued Christ.
I’m excited to come home, reunite with many friends I haven’t seen since leaving for the World Race, and to invest in the lives of those I come into contact with daily.
The harvest is plentiful and I’m excited to labor for the Kingdom of God the rest of my life. Whether it’s through an existing ministry, overseas, a set career, or just waking up daily and doing something different every day.
I’m equipped, passionate, and filled with God’s love to pour out. Today, tomorrow, and everyday of my life.
So my question for you is: what does it look like for you to take a shot at taking the road less traveled in your own life? Doesn’t have to be a dramatic shift like mine has been, but maybe God has a little more life for you to live in each day for Him!
It’s changed my life and I know it can change yours too.
Much love,
Michelle
(At our month 4 debrief I got to celebrate this sweet girl’s 30th birthday with her at a cafe that let you hold hedgehogs while you sipped on coffee! We need this in America!)
(Pat is the equivalence of Thai Jesus and is bringing so much kingdom to Thailand! I’m going to try and post an update blog on Thailand and Pat soon! Pat is a fellow coffee lover and bought me local beans on my birthday! Pat will be one of my favorite hosts from the World Race!!)
(Helped build a hut for a man with team Uprooted! Such a fun month of ministry!)
