Have you ever paused to reflect on the recent history of your life? Go back a week and it may seem that nothing significant has changed. A month, still maybe nothing huge. But the weeks and months add up. Time has a funny way of helping things evolve. Every moment of every day is contributing to your future existence. Your character. Your strength. Your determination. I don’t think “standing still” is really an option. You’re either progressing or you’re sliding backwards.
If I wrote a blog about where I was a year ago, you wouldn’t recognize me for who I am today. God uses time to free us from the chains that used to be so prevalent in our lives. I read a book by Pastor Steven Furtick called “Unqualified” in which he poses the question: What are your “I am…” words? I am strong. I am faithful. I am a daughter of God. There are so many more, but the point is that your words change. Time changes you and as your faith grows it brings healing along with it.
When I talk about the World Race, I get mixed reactions. The two most common that I’ve encountered so far are:
1. Woooowww that’s sooooo cooooolll! I’m so excited for you! Let me know how I can be praying and keep me updated on how God is moving in your life!
2. Eww…do you like, like to camp and stuff? Because that sounds like a lot of dirt and sweat. Aren’t you worried about sunburn? I mean you’re like a ginger and all. And what about clean water? Don’t you know there are diseases? Did you already forget about the swine flu?
So the real question: Why am I leaving the comforts of my family, my job, and first world living to carry a backpack around the world and get inevitably sunburned for an entire year?
There isn’t a short answer. There are many components that factor into the decision. I know from a young age that God had a place for me on the mission field. I heard His calling beyond the shadow of a doubt and from there it was only a question of when and how. The reason I am racing is because I want the world to know Jesus. He has power over darkness and can bring a level of healing, hope, and wholeness that one would never find on their own. I have a vision of revival among people who are broken and lost. God can take the most desolate heart and restore it and make it new.
He is big enough and can conquer brokenness. I want to live with reckless abandon and let Him create in me a clean heart and a courageous spirit. When we live with reckless abandon, we are allowing our faith to be bigger than our fears. We are literally taking a leap of faith and trusting that He will catch us and hold us up in His hands.
