When I was in high school there was a popular fad running on Facebook called “Truth Is”. This game was basically where someone posted “Truth Is” as their status and whoever liked it got a comment about what that person really thought of them. To be honest, I found the “game” a little pointless because I began to find that the “truths” people were telling were many times not the truth at all, and that friendships and relationships were being sugarcoated behind a screen and keyboard. This may sound a bit cynical, but I’ve found that this concept of putting up a positive front when in reality things are a bit more rocky than they seem is a big portion of what social media and the technological age is.
I am a millennial, and while yes I remember a time when home phones still attached to the wall, when MySpace was new and exciting, and computers and TV’s looked a little more like cubes than flat screens, I still grew up in an age where social media was very present. Where the amount of “likes” you received on a photo or a status determined how happy you were, and where a person takes 20 pictures before they are satisfied with the angle. We live in a world where the only face we desire to portray is one of excitement, risk, happiness, and beauty. The truth is I’ve lived that way when it comes to social media. I am not the kind of person to open up to people about my struggles or hardships because I do not like to appear weak, or helpless. I fear judgement just like anyone else, which is probably why I put my photos through filters before posting them on Instagram. It’s also probably why I haven’t posted a blog in so long.
I have put off writing a blog for sometime without really knowing why, but recently have figured out that its because I struggle with sharing my hardships with people. I struggle with asking for help even though I know I need it and I have a hard time sharing something on the internet that’s unfiltered, raw, and truthful. But this pride of mine is like a wall that the devil has supplied me with the bricks to build so that I can compartmentalize what people see.
The truth is, I don’t believe God desires us to filter ourselves. I believe he wants us to confide truthfully in each other so that we might support and encourage one another, and lift each other up in prayer. So, here are my truths about World Race, unfiltered, unmasked, and without a wall.
1. Truth is, details are very important. I am not a detail oriented person. I never have been. World Race isn’t just about grabbing a backpack, jumping on a plane and leaving the country for a year. It’s not that simple. There is a lot of training that’s involved, travel specifics, finances, and practical details that need to be taken into account. It has the potential to take hours to figure out every little detail and even then I tend to worry that I am forgetting something. Forgetting details could prove to be a problem on this trip so I would appreciate prayer that I would be more aware of the details in a situation rather than being oblivious.
2. Truth is, leaving is harder than I thought it would be. Back in February when I applied I felt as though it would be easy to just drop everything and leave for a year. I’m not married, I don’t have a house or a career job, my apartment lease was ending soon, I don’t own a pet, I don’t even own so much as a house plant so there was literally nothing keeping me here. But there was something I didn’t take into account those many months ago and that was my relationships. A year is a long time to not see the people you love and care about. I recognize that some of my relationships will be seemingly unchanged when I return, but I am also at an age where many of my friends lives are changing quickly and I am worried that I might miss something important or grow distant from these friends while I am gone.
3. Truth is, I am very excited. Even though leaving loved ones will be difficult, and details will be taxing, I am extremely excited to start this new adventure with the Lord. The closer I get to leaving, the more excited I get to share the love of Christ while traveling to the different countries. I cannot wait to learn about different cultures, hear other peoples stories about how God has worked in their life, and be able to share the good news of Jesus with several different people groups.
4. Truth is, I am still in need of funds. While I have been blown away with the generosity of those who have supported me, I am still in need of about $5,700. This seems much more manageable than the $18,700 I needed to begin with however it is still a large amount of money that I do not possess. I know that the Lord has called me to this trip and therefore I believe that the funds will be provided, however I still find myself being haunted at night by money, the funds needed for this trip, and the student loans that will still be hanging over my head when I return. I would really appreciate prayer for peace when it comes to thinking about money.
5. Truth is, it’s in God’s hands. I stand firm in faith. I know that there is a God who created this earth and who loves every single person that walks it. My purpose for going on this trip is to share that love of Christ with every person I come in contact with. I am giving all of my worries to God when it comes to this trip, however that is not easy to do in many cases.
So, there it is. Just a little update on some of the truths and struggles of my heart right now. I would appreciate prayer for these things as I head into the final stretch before launch (I leave January 12th!). Also, if you feel you would like to partner with me financially feel free to press the donate button on my blogs home page. Thank you so much for all your support!
