When I decided to go on the World Race, God was shaking my world. This wasn’t a part of the plan! I was supposed to graduate high school and then go to college like everybody else. I was excited for college. But then God opened the doors to the Race, something so much bigger than I could’ve planned myself, and I knew He was calling me to this amazing adventure.
Now, God is shaking my world again. Except in a much different, less extravagent way. He is telling me not to go on the Race. What?! Let’s back up.
Last month, I flew to Gainesville, Georgia for ten days of training camp. I was ready: I had all of my gear, my appropriate length shorts, and so much excitement. Except underlying the excitement was an enormous amount of anxiety and sadness. This is normal, though, with such a big life change coming up. But when I got to camp, those feelings only worsened. Every night, I would call my mom at the end of the day in tears, telling her this wasn’t right for me. She was very confused, as was I.
The Race was my new plan! I was so excited! How could this amazing experience not be what the Lord wants me to do?
I prayed and prayed about it, and each time it became clearer that God was calling me home. This is difficult to explain, because I didn’t hear His voice telling me, “Liz, I want you to leave training camp”. God didn’t appear in front of me. I just felt it in my heart that this was my next step. I struggled for a long time over whether it was actually God’s will or mine, but ultimately I felt that He has bigger plans for me at home.
Don’t get me wrong. The time I spent at training camp was amazing. I met my incredible team of ladies (Team Huzzah!), learned so much about my faith, and experienced joyful worship every night. But at this point in my life, the Race just isn’t right.
BUT, I’m not done with missions. The Lord has given me a beautiful passion for serving others and I’m so excited for this new opportunity to be His hands and feet in the world. In January, I will be going on a World Race: Semesters trip with Adventures in Missions, which is three months in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Africa has a special place in my heart and I hope you will share in my excitement with me!
For now, I’m at home. Though this next season of life is not going to be how I pictured it, God’s plans are always better for us, and I’m sure it will be a time of leaning into Him, spending quality time with my family, and resting in the knowledge that this is exactly where God wants me (and working, so my parents don’t worry as much).
Thank you so much for all of the love and support, prayerfully and financially, you have given me. God has blessed me with an amazing community and I’m beyond grateful.
Love and blessings, Liz
