Laying in bed at night, my mind is a master planner. Since being accepted into the World Race, it has taken this role even more seriously. Many questions come and go: concern about what clothes to bring, what vaccinations to get, will my cat be okay without me for the entire year? But one topic above any other demands my attention every single night: am I going to be able to raise eighteen-thousand dollars, or will i fall short?
I’ve heard the cliches, “God’s will, God’s bill,” “Money will come when you least expect it,” “Just have faith.” I want so badly to be the faithful waiter, full of expectation that God will provide for me. But like a runner standing at the beginning of a marathon, the distance looks like far more than I can do. I’ve done what I can to break down the massive total into smaller, bite size pieces, but even those pieces are mouthfuls.
One of the most common questions people have asked me when I tell them how much I need to raise is, “what happens if you don’t get all the money?”
Olivia on the outside has a great answer, “That’s not going to happen, God will provide for me, and I have a wonderful support system.”
Olivia on the inside is a different story, she says something like, “you think I don’t think about that every night?? I don’t know but it freaks me out!”
The concept that is helping me trust God with my finances is that faith is active, not passive. Just like in order to have faith in a person, you have to know and trust their character, to have faith in God, I have to know and trust His character. So I actively seek Him out, talk to Him, listen to Him, know Him. I know that God gave me a mind to think out and plan things, He also gave me a creative personality, and one that is not afraid to talk to people and get out of my comfort zone. Three things He has said to me specifically that give me hope are:
- You are not alone
- You have a great ability to lead
- My plan cannot be thwarted
Bearing these three statements in mind, I have defined my fundraising goals. My goal is to raise three-thousand dollars per month over the next six months, to be fully funded before I leave. I’ve had this goal in my mind, but the goals that I’ve told friends and family have been much more modest. Why? Because I have a fear of falling short. If I lowball what I expect, then I have much lower chances of failing. But God is not a God of lowered expectations; He is a God who parts the seas, raises the dead, makes the blind see, and lets men walk through fire.
So now I’ve said it. Everyone can read it. All the risk of falling short and failing are out there. I’m sweating.
And this is my not so subtle plea, I REALLY mean it when I say that ANY gift helps me. If you feel any inclination that God is asking you to support me, I pray that you will seriously consider listening to Him! My bold request to God was that He would speak to 36 people, and tell them to give $500 (btw, just that would get me fully funded). But that can also look like 5 people giving $100, or one person giving me $100/month for 5 months, or a group of people giving $1000. However this happens, I am trusting that it WILL.
On a sidenote, I completely understand not being in a place where financial support is possible. A great way to still support, is talking to friends, family, or members of your community who are able to, and ask them if they would be willing to support me. If you or someone you know would be interested in having a conversation with me about this trip, get to know a little more about me, or support me in any way, please reach out to me via email [email protected]
Much love,
Liv
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” Philippians 4:6 NLT
