Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. – John Ortberg
I have been training for a 10K.
And this training has been a…test.
My younger sister and I are training together (she is 12). We are both runners just slightly out of shape, so we have been following a training plan that I found online.
Day One- run 5 minutes, walk 3, run 5, walk 3- hey, ok super awesome, not hard at all
Day Two- run 8 minutes, walk 3, run 8, walk 3-ok, not bad, not bad at all
Day Three- run 2 miles, no walking- what? What is this? Who do you think I am? The marathon version of Usain Bolt?
Today was another 2 mile day, and I ventured out this morning on my own, dreading the run all together.
I’m away from home at my grandparent’s farm and it is absolutely beautiful here this time of year. The trees are blooming and the grass is greener than green! So this run was going to have some pretty cool scenery, but not without some nice, large, rolling West Virginian hills.
I warmed up, and started to jog. Slower than normal, knowing I had some distance. And, as expected, about halfway through my quads started to burn, and my breath quickened and I began focusing not on the run, but on the finish mark.
Ok, only 3/4 more of a mile and I’ll be at 1 mile!
Come on Allyson, let’s go, just want to be done already
yup, awesome, ok hurry it up body.
Instead of enjoying the run, enjoying these legs that work and these lungs that pump, I was hyper aware of where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to run, I wanted to finish-to have the trophy-the glory without the work.
FINALLY! I completed the 2 miles (thankful that I actually did it all)
I think of this like my journey with the World Race. Right after being accepted to The Race, I chose the earliest date of departure that I could. Leaving in September. I was super excited-ready to rumble, wanting to leave as soon as possible, hey, forget September, tomorrow perhaps?
I wanted that finish mark. I wanted to be serving the nations- to be out there spreading the love of Christ that I have experienced over and over again,NOW!
But, this impatience to leave sooner rather than later, eventually turned into worry.
I was worried about the time I had. Three teeny, tiny months to prepare my heart, gear, support-raising, and practically everything! What had I done? I was doubting that I had made the right decision to leave in September. Maybe, this wasn’t the right time, was God really calling me here now?
A few days ago, the questioning was really getting to me, so I called my best friend and talked to my father and voiced my doubt and my anxiety. I told them I wasn’t sure where the Lord was calling me at this point, I felt as if I was asking Him for miracles.
Both guided me.
“Allyson, God has called you to go on The World Race, I know that. But, whether you leave tomorrow, next Friday, or three years from now, He will satisfy that call.”
Good Point.
I was so caught up in my own wants and desires to go on the Race NOW, that I was failing to listen to when God was calling me to go.
As I had been preparing to leave in September, I wanted someone to pick me up and plot me down right in the plane on the way to Asia, geared up with compassion and dedication.
Just like in running, the process to get to an end goal is so worth the time and dedication, making the result satisfying and fulfilling in ways it couldn’t be without. But, again just like running, I had been impatient in my journey and unwilling to sit through all the preparations. I wanted to be the heart of God across the world, but didn’t want to wait for the Lord to prepare my heart first.
God has this Race for me, and He has called me to make that dedication. but, I have to trust Him with the time.
So, I have decided, after so much prayer, to transfer to a route leaving in JANUARY instead of SEPTEMBER.
The world isn’t quite ready for Ally right now
And that is OK
Because I am so excited for all the Lord has for me in this time of waiting.
I am waiting patiently on the Lord.
Because I know his timing is soo good.
And so much better than my own- (phew, Amen to that!)
(keep up to date on here for more information about the new countries and route ahead! and thank you all so much for the support, encouragement, and prayers thus far, It has been, and continues to be an enormous blessing!)
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.”
Isaiah 40:31
