In the middle of my third semester in college, my parents sat me down and gave me an idea that would change my life forever, an idea that nobody saw coming.
I had been working full time, going to school full time, and interning at my church a couple days a week for a few months. I was physically and emotionally exhausted, and apparently it was obvious I needed a break. So my parents told me as much. I knew they were right the moment they suggested I take some time off school. I did’t have a clue what to major in and I couldn’t see myself actually picking a major anywhere in the near future, and I knew that if I continued at the pace I was going I would have a mental breakdown. So, I decided to take the next semester off. Now stood the question, what would I do? I didn’t want spend my days only working and then going home and doing nothing. So I started researching volunteer opportunities. Then I started researching mission opportunities.Then, my mom suggested I looking into this thing called Adventures in Missions. She had actually been suggesting it ever since I was in high school, I had just forgotten. So, I looked it up.
I was instantly hooked.
Adventures in Missions sent people all over the world. The testimonies were amazing, the stories were fantastic, and the possibilities were endless. I couldn’t get enough. I felt something stir inside of me while I was researching, and I knew it was God saying “you wanted something to do, so here you go.”
One night, after sitting and staring at the “Get Started” button for probably 20 minutes, I said “okay God”. Now, I am embarking on a journey that will change my life in more ways than I can imagine.
My favorite song comes to mind when I think of the life-changing nine months I am going to experience, and all the events leading up to the journey itself. The song so perfectly captures my journey, it amazes me every time I listen to it.
“I’m standing knee deep, but I’m not where I’ve never been// I feel you coming, and I hear your voice on the wind.” I am involved with ministry, and I have a good relationship with God, but I am in no way outside of my comfort zone, and I do not believe I am somewhere I have never been. I am only knee deep, but that is not where God calls us to be. I had put God in a box, a safe and comfortable box. He had given me the push I needed to say “come and do whatever you want to.”
“And further and further my heart moves away from the shore// Whatever it looks like whatever may come I am yours.” By listening to God’s command, I was stepping further into the waves, further way from my safe comfort zone. I still am, but that’s okay.
“Then you crash over me, and I’ve lost control but I’m free// I’m going under, I’m in over my head// Then you crash over me, and that’s where you want me to be// Whether I sink, whether I swim, it makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head.”
The World Race will be overwhelming. It will be a spiritual battle like none I have ever experienced. By taking this journey I am slowly walking deeper and deeper into the waves, further and further away from the safe and comfortable shore. But that’s totally fine with me, because I will be beautifully in over my head, engulfed by God’s Awesome Glory.
