Whenever I tell people of this remarkable journey I am about to embark on, they show excitement and amazement for the places i’ll go, people i’ll meet, and things I will do. They are always eager to hear more when I go on my journey until I mention the fundraising I first have to accomplish and what the fundraising goal is. Suddenly their smiles fade, concern sets in, and doubt shows on their face. “Thats a lot of money,” they’ll say. “What is your plan for raising it all?”
In response, I recognize that it is a lot of money. It is more than I myself have to my own name. I have some fundraising methods in mind such as support letters, reaching out to local churches, perhaps selling some t-shirts or vinyl stickers, the list goes on. The ideas are there, they just need to be carried out. While I haven’t found comfort in the $18,600 I have to raise, I have found peace in knowing that with God leading the way, it will be conquered one day.
The World Race sets up benchmarks that need to be met to keep you in line with your fundraising goal. They are as follows below:
5/18/18- $5,000
7/20/18- $10,000
9/30/18- $13,000
11/30/18- $18,600
I stay clear and focused on small bits at a time is because I know that if I look at the total amount and try to aim for the full $18,600, doubt will overcome me. My first short sighted goal is to make it to $1,000 by the end of February.
If you read through the Bible, you tend to see a trend of stories where if God is with you or asks you to do something, you will not fail. A story that I always find myself drawn to is 1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath.
Brief Summary:
The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.
One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance, and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel.
David responded, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?”
So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David oppose the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd’s staff, sling, and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath.
The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.
David said to the Philistine:
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied … today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air … and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel … it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath’s head. It found a hole in the armor and sank into the giant’s forehead. He fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath’s sword, killed him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. The Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp.
A truly remarkable tale of an under-dog victory. However, upon closer examination of the story, it was not David’s victory alone, it was Gods. Because God was with David, he did not fail.
Some parallels I find between my current story and David’s is this:
1. Taunts: This fundraising amount is taunting me as Goliath did the Israelite Army. It tells me “I can’t reach it“, it tells me that “it is far to high a number“, that “I do not know enough people who will collectively donate to reach that goal.“
2. Holding Back in Fear and Uncertainty: Just as the Israelite Army drew back in terror day by day due to the taunts of Goliath for fear of defeat, I worry that the people I depend on to support me will hold back for uncertainty of not raising enough to be able to launch resulting in their donations being lost on a journey that will not be taken. To this I say, if the Israelite Army sent out a few men out to fight at a time, it could safely be assumed that they would be defeated one by one. But there is power in numbers. If the Israelite Army had ignored the taunts of Goliath, whose to say that they couldn’t have defeated the Philistine Army together? If my friends and family can see the amount I have to fundraise is just a number rather than an invincible behemoth, then the intimidation can be minimized to such a manageable fearless amount.
3. Doubt: After David said to King Saul, “Don’t worry about the Philistine, I will go and fight him.” King Saul responded, “Don’t be ridiculous! Theres no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win!” When I told my mom about my decision to join the World Race, the doubt set in as it did in everyone else. One of her first responses were “That is a lot of money. You know I can’t fund this right?” It never crossed my mind that she would pay for this journey. All I wanted was to know was that I was being supported as I face my giant.
4. God Leading the Charge: When it comes to fundraising, I have limited plans beyond the initial sending out letters and asking for support. I recognize that grander fundraising methods may need to be carried out down the road, but just as David only had a sling, a stone, and God leading the charge, that is how I currently see my self against my Goliath, little resources and God leading the charge.
5. Victory: As David defeated Goliath, I know I will have victory over this fundraising goal set in front of me. Now you may ask, if you are going to defeat it, then why do you need my help? We as people are meant to do life together. Support and God are what keeps the giant from filling me with doubt.
Fundraising is my Goliath and with God on my side, there is no fear in conquering the giant for I will not fail.
Reader, I am currently building my own personal Israelite Army in hopes that you would help me defeat my giant. David did not do it alone and neither can I. If you wish to support me and join me on my journey, please donate, share, and/or spread the word of my soon to be victory against my own personal Goliath.
