b e h e r e n o w .
sometimes i get so wrapped up in the tomorrows, the next weeks, the next months, the next years even, how in the world am i supposed to have the next days figured out? i have been asked countless times what i am going to do after high school, and i answer the world race, and then i’m asked what i am going to do after that. i have no earthly idea, but God does, he knows my tomorrow, my next week, my next month, and my next years. i’m content in knowing that and i’m content in being fully present in the right now.
w h y a m i g o i n g o n t h e w o r l d r a c e ?
i didn’t choose to go on the world race because i didn’t know if i wanted to go to college, or what i possibly wanted to study. i am going because God has called me. i don’t imagine my future ever being plentiful. i’m satisfied in buying groceries day by day, finding clothes at the goodwill or some thrift shop, in letting my gas run to almost empty, and washing my hair once or twice a week. i’m trying to live my life as minimalistic as i can. i don’t find my happiness in things, but from God alone. i find it so satisfying to rely on God for every little thing. i’m not saying i want to be a bum, that’s certainly not the case. i want to work for everything that i get and i am a hard worker, but i would much rather work for the kingdom of God than work a nine to five job on repeat every single day. so from now on, i am working to find my joy, peace, happiness, and love from God and not from material things. i have found peace in the thought of being removed from comfortability. somehow traveling with a just a backpack, with people i don’t even know, going to places i’ve never been is so satisfying. being removed from “privileged” america for a longer period of time in order to determine what God wants me to do in the future long-term is why i’m going on the world race. being in the field for nine months will force me to be separated from the conveniences of home and allow me to engage in ministry with fewer distractions.
w h o a m i ?
i am loved recklessly.
i am desired by God and i am enough.
i am full of joy and peace and i have so much to give.
i am working to be a better version of myself.
i am not defined by my past or the mistakes i have made.
i am a person that questions a lot. i used to think that it was wrong to question God, but i’ve come to realize he wants me to ask him questions, he even desires to hear them. asking tough questions, in a way, prunes and refines my faith.
l o o k i n g a r o u n d t h e r o o m
have you ever sat in a room full of people, and you just sit there in silence, looking at each person and thinking of their personal life. man oh man, we all have a story. we all have hardships. we all have different hopes, dreams, desires, and passions. i’m so thankful God made us each and every one, different. i’m so thankful i am the only annika renee smith, and there is not one like me in all of the billions of people in the world. i’m thankful for the uniqueness we all have. God help me to share my story and help me to open my ears and heart so that others can share theirs.
m e m o r y v e r s e
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14
