When I got elected to State FFA Office in June 2008, it was with the understanding that for the coming year, I would live up to high standards. I signed a contract agreeing that I would not do anything that could potentially compromise my image as a State Officer or the image of the Kentucky FFA Association as a whole. It seems easy enough; don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t cuss, don’t be where you shouldn’t be, don’t associate with the wrong people, don’t miss a meeting, don’t show up late… etc., etc., etc. One of my State Officer bros coined the term “The Cloak of Perfect,” jokingly insinuating that in or out of the FFA Jacket, we still had an image to maintain and whether we were in “Official FFA Dress” or not, we were always expected to wear “The Cloack of Perfect.” I was always proud of the way my team conducted themselves, and of the good balance we managed between work and play.
Four years later, I find that many of those same expectations exist once one is deemed a “missionary.” Fair enough; the Bible tells us, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1.) We, as Christians, certainly have a lot to live up to. Every decision SHOULD be based on principles of our faith, we SHOULD take every opportunity to conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner, and we SHOULD recognize that every choice we make, every action we take, and every word we speak is a reflection of our Christian image.
But, guess what…? That’s not the call of a Missionary. That’s the call for a Christian. No disciple for Christ is held to a higher standard than another. I’ve admittedly been guilty of thinking that because Pastors, Gospel musicians or other “BIG” religious figures are more often in the “public eye,” that they should be more conscious of the example they set. They should sacrifice more, give up doing things that could “ruin their witness,” skip enjoying “expensive things” if they were too strapped for cash, or even stop asking for God’s people to help them. Oh, how wrong I can sometimes be. Anyone who accepts Christianity accepts a call to ministry, in some form or fashion. Whether you’re Billy Graham reaching millions of people over your lifetime, a local preacher reaching 100 or so each week, or the youngest kid in your family reaching 3 or 4 a day, God has no different expectation (although the Bible does specify that a man willing to lead God’s congregation SHOULD be granted a “double portion” – I can count on NO hands the number of wealthy pastors I know…) Bottom line, we’re all called to minister in some capacity. You’re who you are; you’ve been planted where you are, given the talents and faults that you have and asked to serve Him in whatever capacity that may be, FOR A REASON. He never said “stop being a human,” or “become a Christian and put on a Cloak of Perfect.”
Personally, I never heard him say, “Ashlee, stop spending time with your friends and family. Stop desiring to travel the world. Stop wanting to write and share it with others. Stop working to find a way to do so. Stop being passionate about Youth. Stop caring about the country you live in. Stop taking vacation. Stop voting. Stop dreaming your dreams and stop wanting what you’ve always wanted. Stop living your life.” Instead, He’s led me to trust that in His perfect time, what He has planned for my life will be done. And how do I know this to be true? He keeps providing…
I’ve never been more confident that just as Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Just because I feel called to go on The World Race, to “in theory” be a missionary, but in REALITY just be the Christian that I know how to be, doesn’t mean I feel called to change who I am. Do I think this experience will change me? Likely (and hopefully!) I would love to come out of this year with a greater understanding of who I am and where God wants me to go throughout my life. I’d love to feel closer to Him, become more grounded in my faith and learn how to be a Christ-like example, like so many that I have been so fortunate to have in my life. Who really knows where I’ll be a year from now? But if I am anything, I am a REALIST. I don’t think I’ll make some discovery that everything I’ve always been taught or believed will suddenly be void. I don’t think the people who have always been important to me will all-at-once cease to matter. I don’t think I’ll stop wanting to travel, write, read, learn and share what I find with the world. I don’t think I’ll lose a desire to work hard for my gains and to be a good steward of what God allows me to have. All of this is just who I am. It’s who God has used 23+ years of experiences, encounters, successes, failures, and good fortunes to mold me into. And as long as who I am continues to please Him, I feel like I’ll be just fine.
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
For those interested, here’s an update of where I stand financially going into World Race Training Camp.
Personal Investment – approximately $7,000
Donations from Churches, Friends, and Community – approximately $5,500
Promised Donations to come from Church, Friends, Community – approximately $1000
If calculations are right, that has my World Race funding at $13,500. Aside from a mosquito net and toiletry items, I have all the gear I need thanks to many donations and great friends who have supplied items! Total cost of the World Race, excluding personal travel to launch, vaccinations/immunizations, and any personal spending money while on the race, is $15,500.
I am amazed at how God has provided and with just under two months until launch, I am within $2,000 of being fully funded! Thank you so much to EVERYONE who has helped me in anyway – from buying me gear, donating funds, paying for my summer vacations so I could spend precious time with family/friends while continuing to save my earnings, spreading the word, taking pictures, offering me part-time jobs or opportunities to speak about the experience, and mostly, thank you for continuing to pray. If you are interested in donating, I would certainly be appreciative and you can easily do so by clicking Support Me (or contacting me directly), but know that if that’s not what you feel led to do, please don’t feel as if you have let me (or God) down. As I’ve told many, many people, when God calls, He provides, and I know that it’s through the prayers of His people that this trip is possible for me and my fellow J-Squad mates! Definitely keep those coming!!! 😉
