Thinking back to a year ago, I tried to imagine what I would be like today. Having this grand adventure with God, seeing the world and all the people and experiences it has to offer. After acquainting myself personally with every spectrum of life and partaking in so many different areas of ministry, I was sure I’d be a different person.
But I must say, this didn’t really change me. At least, not in the ways I imagined. I, kind of reluctantly, thought I’d turn into one of those people who suddenly wanted to adopt a ton of foreign babies, or move permanently overseas, or start a non-profit in the states, or start some sort of justice rally and try to recruit tons of followers.
Those are the glorified changes I assumed would happen to me, or anyone who goes on The World Race for that matter.
But I’m very pleased to announce that that didn’t happen.
I still have no in particular desire to adopt. Being a long-term missionary overseas is NOT as glamorous as one may hope. I don’t feel led to start some organization of my own, nor do I want to start anything that draws a lot of attention to myself and try to convince people to come on board. And for the record, I’m still not a morning person.
None of these things are bad or wrong and I am not saying they will never happen to me. I just notice coming to the end of this thing that I didn’t change in the “obvious” missions-trip kid kind of ways.
The beautiful thing I have come to accept through this journey though, (and it did take the whole 11 months to learn and accept the things God’s been teaching me) is that God created me perfectly and unique just the way I am for a purpose and He doesn’t want me to change into someone I’m not.
I’m still a Disney fanatic, coffee addict, people lover, theatre geek, nature observer, music appreciator, health freak, and Christ follower.
This is who I am. It’s taken me a long time to accept who I am with the talents and particular interests I have. But I’ve learned not to compare and fully embrace these things because He has made me this way and He needs me this way in order to accomplish the awesome plans He has for my future.
God didn’t change me. What He did do though, is give my heart new desires and dreams to run after that will glorify Him.
Dreams that do involve coffee and people and health and Disney and discipleship and all of the things I love and enjoy. No one else could do the things that are on my heart because He has planned them for me, and that’s exciting!
So I’m sorry not sorry to say that The World Race didn’t change me. If anything, it made me become more confident in who I already am because God doesn’t make mistakes in His creations. Each one is unique and picked out particularly for the good plans He has.
