Well, now that you know a little about me from my Bio, I can go a little deeper into how God called me to join The World Race. I honestly would love to say I heard some sound like the guys in the U.S. Marine commercials (a great idea for a group to do by the by), but it was more than that, much more.
I talked about in my Bio about a bad break-up and going to Louisiana for two months to work on the farm. Well, that process was more to just allow God to heal me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Really did work when I just let Him have control. I was in constant communication with Him trying to figure out where He was leading me, where He needed me. I felt He needed me first in Louisiana to be with Him, then to actually go with starting my Graduate work with UCF in the Masters in Nonprofit Management program and so I did. I somehow (totally His grace and work) received a Graduate Research Assistantship with CPNM, as I said in the other post, and had the first semester paid for and was even making an income. However, God closed that door, quite abruptly too. I worked with my two agencies I got for like one week or so. Craziness!
As you can imagine, I was lost and confused, definitely shocked, as to why the door was so closed. I did not know what to do. I started praying and God led me to inquire of two friends from my Campus Crusade days about Athletes in Action with them; however, as I continued to keep praying I was led down a different route. It’s also important to note that before I started the grad school I got bit with this massive ‘Travel Bug’ and if I had had the money to do so, I would’ve just went to Australia and been done with it. Of course, God had other ideas.
Anyway, in early February I took my 14 year-old nephew, Michael, to the David Crowder *Band concert in Oviedo and just had a rockin’ time praising God. I was at the time empty, now that I think of it of course, and just needed some rockin’ praise music to worship Him and be me. Afterwards, I ended up talking with my cousin, Jonathan (the one I went to Louisiana with) and whose favorite band is Casting Crowns and he, myself and my best friend Marcus decided to go to the Casting Crowns, Kutless and Caleb concert in Winter Park in late March. I paid…their tickets basically being their birthday presents. 😀
At the concert, we listened to Caleb first, great guy…he and his brother. I told God I just wanted Him to fill me again and to speak with me on the path I was to go. Kutless came on stage and well the puzzle pieces started swirling in my head and being placed in their proper places. I had tears for the work God was doing in me and for the work I knew He was going to do for the other two. Casting Crowns came on and I just had to worship all out. All the while, though, God was speaking to my heart and soul telling me The World Race, which I had learned about late last year through my friend Sara Hansen, who is leaving with the July 2010 teams. I couldn’t hold back the tears, I just couldn’t. Some say that is a sign of weakness for a man, however, the strongest man, Jesus Christ who died for us all and bore the weight of the world’s sin cried tears of blood. I honestly feel and believe that crying, even as a man, is a sign of strength. The greatest weaknesses in man’s eyes are usually the greatest strengths in God’s eyes.
Well, yeah, that is how this simple man was drawn to the will of God and now must ‘Go’, largely at the behest of others who do not understand. I do though and I will not be deterred!
Much love,
A.J. Wagoner
