The thought of coming up with $17,617 was sickening to me. Like literally would make my stomach churn.
When I applied for the World Race, I was a newly 25-year-old still trying to get on her feet in “the real world.” I was in full-time ministry for my full-time “big girl job”. I had absolutely NO CLUE where I was going to come up with $17,617. But when God tells you to “GO”, you go. And I will admit, I applied with hesitation. I negotiated with God, giving Him stipulations.
I often times put God in a box. A small box, only my human brain can understand. How foolish am I! I forget so quickly the Sovereign God I serve and the unimaginable plan He has. I forget His powers are unexplainable. I forget His ways are indescribable. He has divine powers to move in hearts. It was only the simple question of, would I let Him?
I don’t love asking people for help… let alone money! So the beginning process was super awkward. I don’t want to put anyone out or make anyone have to sacrifice for me. And over the past 4 months, the Lord has so graciously been showing me… IT ISN’T ABOUT ME. Although I know this, I forget. He is teaching me, fundraising is inviting people to be a part of something bigger than who they are. People don’t give because of me. People give because they believe in the Gospel and the importance of sharing the Good News of Jesus. God stirs hearts. I hardly have had to left a finger. I am 4 months into the fundraising process, and over 50 people have given to raise a grand total of $15,270. Now if that’s not God moving, I don’t know what is!
My favorite part of this whole stomach-churning experience is hearing people’s stories. Hearing how God has been speaking to them to give. Hearing how He has laid it on their hearts to give a certain amount. If I could only tell y’all all the stories. I’ll share one though…
A little over a month ago, we had a conference at my church. I had the privilege of planning the event with a team of incredible women. Long story short, I had the opportunity to briefly share my new adventure with the 200 women sitting in the room. So I quickly became, “that girl who is traveling the world”. There was only one lady, in the entire conference, who was a walk-in… meaning she didn’t sign up. Being in charge of registration for the event, I had the benefit of meeting this lady. I had to take her credit card information in order for her to pay for her ticket. I had approached her during a break where the ladies had the opportunity to fellowship with one another around the table they were sitting at. So when I went to approach her I wanted to be quick, not wanting to interrupt much of the conversation happening at the table. I sat down next to her with my computer and started entering her payment into the system, and she looked at me and said “aren’t you the girl who is going on that trip?!” I laughed, shook my head and said yes… not thinking much of it. But the moment I said yes, she reached in her purse and pulled out some wadded-up bills. She handed it to me and said, “It’s not much, but I am in no place right now to do what you are doing.” I smiled and thanked her, telling her she didn’t have to give me this. She insisted, so I took the money humbly and stuffed it in my pocket. Once I got home later that night after the conference had ended, I pulled out the wadded-up cash and placed it on my night stand. I was exhausted from the days work and overwhelmed by the support of all the women. All I wanted to do was go to bed. So I get ready for bed, lay my head down… and I could not fall asleep. I just kept feeling like the Lord was telling me to get up and count that wadded-up money. So I sat up, turned on my lamp, and grabbed the money. I started unfolding the wadded-up bills, and tears just filled my eyes. I sat on my bed with over $200 in my hand. This complete stranger gave me money (more than I would have EVER expected).
That is when it hit me, IT WASN’T ABOUT ME! This lady didn’t even know me, and gave over $200. It was all God and His doing. He stirred her heart to give to His mission of redeeming the world back to Himself. He was the one who had me go take her credit card information. He was the one at work the whole time. And like I said, that is ONE of many stories!
Y’all, God continues to amaze and humble me on this journey. I am super thankful He has called me to do something bigger than myself. Because what is happening and what will happen, is by nothing of my own power. I am in utter dependance of Him providing… and what better place to be. I won’t lie, it is hard at times… because I want to do it on my own strength. But every time I let Him take the reins, GOD BLOWS IT OUT OF THE WATER!
So I am here to encourage you. To encourage you to take a leap of faith. To be brave. Take risks. Because I promise you, God will provide!
