One year ago, I was fundraising for this crazy thing called the World Race. I was excited, focused, and trusting God to provide for what He was calling me to. It’s now Month 9 and I’m starting to get tired.
April and May (Nicaragua and Costa Rica), we moved around a lot. It’s been getting more and more difficult to pack up and say goodbye to the different ministries and new friends I’ve made in each country. It’s like mile 21 of a marathon! Around mile 21, I start thinking about what I want to eat after I finish. I start thinking about if I have conserved enough energy to speed up over the last miles. At this point, I’m also usually hurting and trying not to focus on what I’m feeling.
The same is now happening in Month 9. I find myself daydreaming about the comforts of home. Daydreaming about how my dog will react when she sees me after 11 months!! Daydreaming about not living out of a backpack, and about living with modern conveniences that I sometimes took for granted like a washing machine and dryer.
As in the marathon, it’s time for me to really press in and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. In this case, it’s focusing only on what God is doing here and now. It’s focusing only on what He’s doing in me and through me now, not 5 months from now. While focusing on the finish line gets me through 26.2 miles, focusing on the Race end date will cause me to miss what God is doing these last few months.
All of that being said, I’m so excited to end this chapter and begin a new chapter in September. The talk among the squad now is post-Race planning. What’s even harder is that most of them are in their 20s. I’m 34. I’ll end the Race at 34 and a half. Every day I struggle with trusting God’s plan for my life and trusting His timing. When I was 16, I thought for sure I’d be married with kids, & living the American dream by 25. Obviously it didn’t happen, but at least I’m where God called me at this time?
So, let me answer your burning question! What are my plans for after the Race? My answer right now is I don’t know. I am applying to several things as I seek God for my next season of life. I have several “irons in the fire.” I want only what He wants for me. I want to bring love, joy, and peace, I want to bring Kingdom wherever God gives me the opportunity.
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
