While winter does not officially begin until December 21, for many in the United States, winter has already begun.
With the leaves off the trees, colder temperatures setting in (depending on the day), and Thanksgiving behind us, the focus of many has shifted toward the remainder of the holiday season and all things winter. *cue the Christmas music*
In the weeks leading up to this seasonal transition, I have found myself a bit more sentimental than usual, as my heart and mind have taken a ride on an emotional roller coaster.
With every leaf that has fallen, every autumn sunset I’ve watched, every school event I’ve attended, and every gathering with family and friends, I have been reminded that I won’t be here for these things next year.
And that has hit me hard.
To some, eleven months doesn’t sound like a long time, but when you love your home, your job, your church, your family, your friends, and your students as much as I do, it seems like a LONG time.
And it kind of freaks me out.
The thought of missing out on birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and day-to-day happenings of family and friends makes me sad.
The thought of leaving my job, my students, and my coworkers almost makes me nauseous.
The thought of leaving my church (just when I’ve found the place that feels right for me) is hard.
The uncertainty of what my life will look like upon my return is nerve wracking.
While I have an extremely adventurous soul, leaving the comforts of my current life for eleven months so I can live in third-world communities is beyond my own desire for adventure.
But it’s the comfort zone I live in that only further encourages me to go on the World Race.
While my life hasn’t been without some bumps in the road, it has majorly gone according to plan–grow up in a stable, supportive family, graduate from high school, graduate from college, get my dream job, and have some really incredibly life experiences along the way.
I have trusted God through it all, and He has blessed me and given me favor beyond my wildest dreams.
I have lived a life full of goodness, but I have also lived a life full of comfort.
And now I feel like I’m being asked a question: “Jami, are you willing to give it all up?”
Uh, wow. What? Give it ALL up? My job security? My home? My people?
Since I was a child, I’ve read and heard stories of people who were willing to give it all to follow Christ. These people of Faith were willing to go against societal norms, risk their reputations, leave behind their families and friends, and forego worldly possessions and comforts in order to grow in God and serve Him.
I find myself so challenged by the unwavering faith of these people.
That’s the kind of faith I want to have.
I want to know God beyond my comfort zone.
Everyone has their own journey, and I know that most people don’t have to go on the World Race (which doubles as a discipleship program and an evangelistic trip) to learn and grow and strengthen their faith.
But for me, this is the moment where I feel that I need to be willing to step back and say, “Jesus, I believe that all I have in this life is thanks to you, and I’m willing to give it all up if it means following you further.”
As I press forward with my plans to go on the World Race, I don’t know every reason God is calling me to this journey, but here are five things I do know:
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I feel challenged to trust God in ways I’ve never trusted before.
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I am looking forward to learning from those in other cultures.
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I am excited to share the stories of the people I meet and the experiences I have in an effort to teach and encourage others. (Though they don’t know about the World Race yet, I have no doubt that many, many of my former students will be following this journey, and I am ecstatic about it.)
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I am ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus, as I love and serve people all over the world.
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I am eager to go through some intense personal growth, even though growth can be so hard.
With that being said, there are still days that I struggle with this decision to leave and give it all up. So thank you to those of you who have been a consistent source of prayer and encouragement.
My family and friends have loved me so well through this process, and while I know that I will be missed, I’m so grateful to have so many who push me to follow God’s leading, even if it means leaving them for a time. Having a team of supporters who will be walking alongside me before, during, and after the Race means more to me than you all know.
And I am so thankful for a good, good Father from whom all blessings flow. For Him, I’m willing to give it all up.
As always, thank you for being a part of this journey.
Xo,
Jami
P.S. If you are interested in donating, please click the Donate! button. Currently, I am about a quarter of the way funded. While I am so humbled by the giving that has already taken place, I still have a long ways to go, so if you feel led to give, please do so, and know that I will be praying so many blessings over your life in return.
