Good Afternoon, guys!
After being accepted to the World Race, I have had many questions about why I wanted to do mission work, why I chose the World Race, specifically, and what led me to this point, so I’m going to answer those, today!
What led you (me) to mission?
Growing up, I always had a heart for mission work. I would go on local missions, some outside of the state, and serve with my church in Salado. I loved everything about serving others and teaching them about how the God I knew, was so impactful in my day to day life. Then, somewhere along the way, I got lost and virtually disbanded from the church. I would still show up, but I was never really present. I was angry at God for the circumstances that I could not control, and refused to see the freedom that he was giving me.
A few years ago, I put my family and friends through the worst time of our lives. It was by my hands that they cried and hurt; and they realized then, that my rock bottom had a basement. It was a truly frightening and terrifying time in our lives, but I wouldn’t take it back (Yes, I know how that sounds, but please bear with me).
I wouldn’t take that year of pure misery and wretchedness back because now I am alive, I no longer suffer quietly, and my relationships with my family could not be stronger. All proof, that God is real, and He truly does save!
I think that God gives each one of us our own testimony, ultimately to help others that are going through the same things. I didn’t realize this until a stranger in IHOP shared with me his testimony, and my world would change forever.
You see, this man didn’t know much about me, but one look in my eyes, and he knew I was wandering aimlessly, trying to get my life back on track, searching for something of purpose and direction. Instead of berating me, he told me about how he grew up in a Christ filled home, but never really found Him until he put down the bottle and started taking accountability for his own actions. I found refuge in his testimony, that I was not too far gone.
God spoke to me that day, and ever since, I have not stopped hearing His voice.
So, why mission?
Mission starts at home. It starts by extending small acts of kindness and spreading God’s love to those around us day in and day out. Mission means walking with Christ, and sharing your testimony to others so that you can show them, YOU ARE ALWAYS LOVED, something that I have not always felt.
I find so much comfort in knowing that regardless of our life circumstances, God is walking along side of us. He carries us through the mud, trudging through all the darkness. When we are afraid, He is there.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In god, whose word I praise– In God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?.”
(Psalm 56:3-4)
Why the World Race?
During that time of tragedy that I was talking about earlier, I wanted to run. I found comfort in God, but mostly, I wanted to leave the immediate situation that we were all in.
So, I had a few friends that had gone on the World Race, and that sounded like something that I wanted to do… I would be able to serve others and serve God, but mostly I just didn’t want to be here. So I started my application, but never finished it. I am not sure why, to this day, but I believe that God was speaking to me and telling me that my testimony wasn’t over. My heart wasn’t prepared.
A year later, my friends had come back from the race, and gave me their testimonies. They spoke about how God changed them spiritually and mentally. How God was radiating in other communities around the world. I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of, so I started my application again. I didn’t complete it then, either. My heart still wasn’t prepared.
I had wondered why God would have put this organization on my heart, if every time I started to apply for it, He told me “No.” I began to see people in my university join the organization, my friends, and Young Life leaders take this head on, and I was confused.
BUT, god wasn’t saying, “No!” He was saying, “Not yet!”
So right before graduating college, I began praying for guidance on my next steps. Do I take this job? Is this where I can grow the most spiritually? Should I go to law school like I planned? I asked God to guide me to a place where I could better serve Him, where my faith would grow, and where I could have direction and purpose.
After being offered my dream job, I thought that was it, but the next day, something incredible happened!
In the most audible tone, where I had to check behind me because I thought someone else was in the room, God said, “GO! Madison, it’s time.”
So here we are. I asked Him to put me in a place where I could better serve Him, and He is so faithful! I am beyond excited, and grateful that God waited until my heart was ready.
It’s Go Time.
