For the month of April, my squad (the 40+ people I will be traveling to each country with every month on the World Race mission trip) is doing a blog challenge. We are all committed to writing a blog post weekly. This is definitely a challenge for me. We were given writing prompts such as:
- What led you to the race? – Do you have a radical story about how you found out about the race? (See my previous blog posts from January and February)
- Acts of kindness- do an act of kindness and then write a story about it!
- What I would tell my 16 year old self- or any age!
- 11 things I’m anticipating for 11n11
- SOAP (scripture, observation, application, prayer) or some reflection from your journal about your morning devotional/what the Lord is teaching you
- Focus on a person- your mom, best friend, stranger – someone who has impacted you, introduce them/talk about them & how they’ve impacted you!
- Promote a fundraiser- such as introduce Adopt-A-Box (See blog post – Adopt a Box-)
- Wins from a fundraiser – Did something really cool happen at a fundraising event you had?
- Highlight your route countries- this makes for 11 blogs! Or, if that seems a little overwhelming, you could split it up into regions.
These are all great ideas, and who knows… maybe I will write them sometime soon! The problem is I’ve started and stopped multiple drafts for this week’s blog post. Maybe it’s writer’s block??
For this week’s blog post, I’m going to take my 11th grade English teacher’s advice on what to do when I feel stuck and just write without editing or thinking of grammar, etc. I’m going to just write and see what happens…..
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As I’ve gotten to know people on my squad these last 3 months, one thing is for sure – they are all talented, driven, and passionate about Jesus. They each have unique and incredible testimonies. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person in a few months for training camp! It’s hard for me not to look at them and compare myself to them. I know comparison is a trap and I should be happy with my own journey, but I’m not going to lie – it’s hard not to compare myself to them and see myself as less than. Recently, some have cooked and baked to raise funds. I saw the photos and the food looked amazing. Some have posted incredible YouTube videos that are professional, amazing, and engaging. Others have had opportunities to speak at various events to raise support. Some have already been on multiple mission trips and have a ton of knowledge on how to pack for 11 months in one backpack. Then, there’s me. I’m just honored to be chosen to be a part of this squad.
According to my results from a mini Myers Briggs test, I am an ISFJ. Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. The description says ISFJ is quietly warm, factual, sympathetic, detailed, dependable, organized, thorough, conscientious, systematic, conservative, realistic, caring, practical, stable, and helpful. All of this is true about me! My family, friends (I hope), and my employers can all say I am those things. Basically, I’m analytical, logical, and a great support. I’m the kind of person that loves to be in the background and support a leader’s vision, which makes planning events so challenging for me. I don’t say all of this for anyone to feel sorry for me though. I’m full of faith. Faithful is he who calls me, who also will do it and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength! I’m shocked that I’ve now reached almost 10% at this point. I know it’s only God. It’s the comparing myself to others that I need to learn to let go of. I’m sure this is a lesson I will have to remind myself over and over again.
This reminds me of a message I heard last year about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was titled I’m Just a Girl. Whenever people talk about Mary, it always grandiose. However, Mary was just a girl. I’m in my 30’s, and sometimes even I still feel like “I’m just a girl.” Mary really was just a girl, but God called her for an incredible task. I’m sure she could’ve told the angel, “have you considered the other Mary in the next town over? She’s prettier, more loveable, smarter, etc.” No, she just accepted the news with grace and asked about the logistics. She asks the angel, how can this be? (Luke 1:34) Mary’s question was not a question of doubt, but one of direction. We know this because of the angel’s response that she would conceive by the Holy Ghost. This is such a great story of knowing your own personal worth and not comparing yourself to anyone else. Our only task is to each day be a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday. We can’t get everything right and perfect every single time, but we can be happy with who God made us to be individually and become better.
When I’m feeling like I’m not enough, usually it’s because I’m focusing on who I’m not and not on who I am or who I am becoming. Ultimately, I should focus on who God is calling me to be. Mary could’ve said, I’ve never been a mother, I don’t have any training, and I’m just a girl. Instead, she focused on who she was, who God is, and God’s promises. Luke 1:38 – Mary said, I am the Lord’s servant, may it be as you’ve said.
So, here are the 3 lessons we can learn from Mary (taken from that message I heard). 1) Ask the right questions 2) Remember who you are 3) Move toward your mission. As soon as the angel left Mary, she went to visit Elizabeth. Instead of sitting around in doubt and uncertainty, she had active faith and moved toward what the angel had revealed to her. I need to learn to continuously remind myself of my mission, remove doubt and replace with faith and encouragement, remind myself of God’s promises, ask for help, and keep moving forward!
Support raising update:
I’m almost at 10%! Thank you! Please help me get to $1,820 by the end of the month. If you have not donated yet, please consider a one-time or monthly donation of any amount. (DONATE) Please also see the Adopt-a-Box post if you’d like to adopt a box. You simply choose an open box (see photo below) and donate that amount. If you decide to adopt a box, please let me know via the contact box, text/email/call, so I know to add you to the list. Once all boxes are adopted, I will reveal the 11 boxes(people) that will receive a gift from one of the 11 countries we will be in.
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In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
