It’s incredible what I’ve learned in one month. Now most of these are things that I’ve always ‘known’ but I’ve experienced these truths in entirely new ways over the past few weeks.
- God answers prayers. I have prayed for a year that the opportunity to go on this race would be shut down if I wasn’t meant to go. I prayed that I wouldn’t get accepted because if was accepted, I’d leave in a heartbeat. I prayed for discernment and that it would be clear whether or not I was supposed to go. As time went on every single aspect of my life that would’ve come between me and the race was slowly pushed out of the way. Jobs. My apartment lease. People. Everything has fallen seamlessly into place in such a way that there’s no doubt I’m on the right track. It’s almost as if every single step of the way I was giving the Lord my conditions of what had to happen for me to go (probably partially hoping He’d put up roadblocks) and at EVERY. SINGLE. STEP. He’s pushed things forward.
- The Lord provides. Anyone who has familiarity with Christianity is probably familiar with this idea. I’ve always kind of thought in my head that He provides but I never really gave Him a chance to provide in big ways. I’ve never really trusted Him in that to be honest. I’ve always met the idea of provision with the knowledge that He can provide, but a heart that said “but I’m not sure He’ll actually provide, so I’ll just take that on myself.” This is not to say that people shouldn’t use the resources they have to provide for themselves and for others. The Lord absolutely provides jobs, and gives us everything we need and again, and my head knows that He alone is responsible for everything I’ve been blessed with in my life. But it’s still easy to look back and, in my pride, say that I’m responsible. Until now. It has been unbelievable watching Him fund this trip. After I’d been accepted, I started to get nervous about fundraising because I was so far behind everyone else, some of whom have been accepted and fundraising for almost a year already, and was a mere 3 weeks away from the first financial deadline. It seemed impossible to raise the necessary funds and my mind immediately went to, “how can I do this.” Immediately I was met with my overwhelming inadequacy. The only place to turn was prayer. The Lord gave me peace in the clarity that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be learning. Long story short, even though I still have funds to raise, He’s gone above and beyond the first deadline goal and I’m more sure than ever in the power of my God to make what He wants to happen come to fruition.
- The Lord uses people to do his work. I think up until now I’ve had a pretty self-centered view of this truth. I’ve looked at this idea solely from the perspective of the Lord using myself and trying to figure out what He wanted me to do to reach people and to live for Him. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but I’ve learned that other people have that focus too. I think specifically in the area of fundraising, it’s been super eye-opening to see how the Lord has used the network He’s blessed me with to finance this trip. Not only are the contributors a financial blessing but each and every one of them has been used in different ways to teach me the following lessons.
1. The unexpected donors have taught me not to assume a disinterest in joining me in this journey.
2. The givers from my past who have coincidentally (100% not coincidence) come back into my life have shown me that the Lord works in His perfect timing.
3. The contributors who I literally JUST met have encouraged me with their willingness to jump right in to this with me, no hesitation.
4. The supporters who have given HUGE have taught me two things. That the Lord blesses people so that they can be blessings to others and that He will find those willing people to help further His kingdom. Our Lord is a generous Father and I’ve been able to see that aspect of His character through these people.
5. The sponsors who have given when they don’t have much to give have reminded me to be faithful and generous with all that I have.
6. The cheerleaders who I’ve always been able to rely on have proven again that the Lord has truly blessed me with the most incredible support system that I don’t deserve.
It truly in astonishing how much growth has happened in the last month. I have less than a month left before training camp and I’m sure the Lord has a ton left to teach me before that next step in this journey.
Keep praying, Let me know if you have questions. Love you all <3
