Everyone loves a good comeback. Sometimes when things don’t go your way in life, it’s important to view them as an opportunity to prove that you can adapt and overcome. A quote I love by Willie Jolley says, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” Instead of frowning over each setback, you need to turn your moments of doubt and fear into times of victory. With every accomplishment that has been, there was a setback.
When I applied for The World Race last year, I believed the race would begin on my day of launch. I stand corrected, for the race begins when we answer the call and commit to the race. The past few months have been quite a journey. I spent my summer in a state where I barely knew a soul and was not part of a church family. I struggled week after week to find a job and was often stuck in one place. I did not have anyone to open up to and dealt with a lot of emotional stress. With dates and numbers poking at my mind, my fundraisers kept falling through. I kept thinking to myself, “Is this ever going to happen?” “Am I wasting my time taking a gap year before grad school?” “What if I’m making a mistake?”
A setback is a setup for a comeback
September 1st, I flew back home to Florida, keeping in mind that I only had a month to meet my first financial deadline of $5000. Upon arrival, I was welcomed with news that Hurricane Irma was on the way. As a Floridian, I shrugged at the news, and began working on three fundraisers that I knew could get me somewhere. However, reality set in and within a week, my family and I were sheltered in a hospital. The hurricane left my city with flooded roads, fallen trees and road signs, and no electricity for 7-12 days. It was during that time that I realized I wouldn’t be able to meet my deadline and would have to change my plans for the next year.
A few weeks earlier I had begun a 31-Day devotional based on faith. As much as the devil was trying to wear me out that I may give up, I knew I had God by my side and had to turn to Him for strength and direction. Part of the spiritual challenge of taking part in The World Race is building faith. A race is not meant to be easy. The further you run, the harder it becomes to keep pushing forward. Sometimes, as you run, the race will feel longer than expected. You’re putting in the effort, but not seeing the progress. It is then that your mind will begin to make excuses. You’ll start thinking that you’re never going to make it. Looking at others may make you feel like even more of a failure, as it creates envy. The longer you dwell on those thoughts and feelings, more and more energy is drained. And before you know it, you may settle where you are and give up on the race. But DON’T!
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ISAIAH 40:31
Don’t give up! Don’t let fatigue stop you from living your dream. Don’t let it keep you from your victory. When you’re weary, you won’t have the passion you need to live out in faith. You may feel like giving up, but remember that God does not give up. He is right there with you, ready to carry you. You need to hold tight to Him. Take hold of His strength and see the race from His perspective. The finish line may seem far and out of reach to you, but with God, you’ve already won the race. Whether the race is to graduate, for healing, for that job promotion, for a breakthrough, victory is yours. You just have to claim it in Jesus name.
As for me, I can say I am stronger than I was at the start of the summer. My faith is in God and I continue to push forward toward the goal God has set for me. I may have been knocked down a few times and may fall again, but with the strength of God, I will get back up again. One route did not work out for me, so I am shooting for another. Timing may be different, squad mates may be different, and countries may be different, but still the mission is the same.
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Song Suggestion: Lose Our Way by Toby Mac
ROUTE UPDATE
Countries: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia
Launch: August 2018
Training Camp: June 4-14
Cost: $18,100
