Life if full of twists and turns, never knowing what’s around the corner. Mine has been no different. At times I thought I had a good plan, my future seemed clear. Some of these plans became reality while others were shattered like a fragile teacup on a hardwood floor. Some were lost dreams for the future, but others were worked for, prayed for, treasured, already attained things that were taken away. While walking this winding road hasn’t been easy, there has been good. Stolen dreams and an unknown future have made way for new dreams given by a known God. He has changed my heart and given me a deep desire to live out His dream instead of my own.
This longing has lead me to do things I had never even considered doing a few years ago. Barely traveling outside of Maine for the first 27 years of my life, I volunteered to go to Haiti on a medical mission trip returning there again two more times. Never considering myself a “kids person”, I spent a week’s worth of summer days helping at a children’s camp. Labeled a true introvert, I branched out into new social circles that encouraged my relationship with Jesus. This growth has not been possible because of my own ability to overcome fear, dislikes or personality flaws. This was only possible because I gave my life to Jesus. He changed me. I still have flaws, many flaws, but Jesus literally died to cover them. He took my broken heart into His hands and restored it. He picked up the shattered pieces of my dreams and made them new. He rescued my torn apart life and gave me fresh purpose.
I wasted a lot of time, years of my life, trying to be a good person, to do what I needed to do to get by and reach my goals, to make my own dreams come true. Yes, I had a relationship with God, but it wasn’t my first priority. I don’t want to waste another minute writing my own story, struggling down the gullies of my own path. I want to live His version of my story, walk as His light guides me in each step.
Following God doesn’t come without risk. There’s the risk of not living up to other people’s expectations, or stepping outside the boundaries of your comfort zone, or even having to let go of people and things held dear. On my next journey these risks will become reality. Traveling to 11 countries in 11 months, serving people in communities all over the world… The World Race January 2019. It’s an opportunity to share the love and light of Jesus to those who are hurting. It’s a chance to change the world one heart at a time, not through my own power, but through Jesus. When I look back, I am amazed at how He has transformed me from a quiet homebody into a wild ‘n’ free world traveler recklessly leaving behind the comforts of home for a life of service. He changed me. He can change you too.
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