Ya’ll, it’s only February 16th and I’ve already reached my February goal of being 20% funded! I’m at 23% right now! I’m just blown away by the support that I’ve received from ya’ll. People that I didn’t even expect to give have given and I’m just so thankful. I’m so thankful to have a community of people that are willing to support me and the vision that God has for me. So thank you! I just can’t even believe it.
In 7 1/2 months I’ll be on my way to the other side of the world. More and more people are asking me about this trip, and more and more people are supporting me than I could’ve imagined. But there are some that are totally against this idea. There are some people that believe this is a dumb idea and that I’m being naive about the world I live in. I’ve been told, “Alex, it’s dangerous in southeast Asia, do you know what they do to Christians? You’re committing suicide by going over there”.
So that’s a really blunt comment, right? But it’s something that people keep reminding me. But more than that, those thoughts get in my head sometimes and it’s what the enemy keeps whispering to me over and over again. “Alex, you don’t really want to go to Asia, it’s too dangerous.” or “Alex, you’re crazy for giving up your job for a year, who would do that?” or “Don’t you want to stay home instead of miss out on your friends and family’s lives?”
Jesus was also tempted with questions from the enemy while he was in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God. Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me. “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t give in to what the enemy was asking Him. He fought it off with the Word of God. I want to encourage everybody reading this, whether it’s my friends, family, my teammates, or someone that I don’t even know.. if God has called you to something and you’re having doubts, fight those doubts with the Word of God. What God says about your life is more powerful than anything Satan could ever say or do. Whenever I’m having doubts about this whole thing, one of the verses that I’m always reminded of is Habakkuk 1:5
“Look around at the nations and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
God has something absolutely incredible planned, and I’m so thankful that I’ve been given this opportunity. I never would’ve thought I’d be chosen to do something like this. If you would’ve told me a year ago that I’d be doing the World Race, I would’ve laughed in your face. I would’ve totally thought it was a cool thing to do, but would’ve never thought I’d actually do it. Funny how God can change your plans so suddenly, isn’t it? But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I know that I’ve reached my February goal of 20%, but I still have a long way to go. Please consider supporting me prayerfully and financially. 🙂
