Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog! My name is Ashley, and I’ve been called by Jesus to go on the World Race! The last part of that sentence still gives me shivers.
So here’s the story, keep in mind I’m not a bible scholar only a bible reader who is inspired by the word. This last winter I was reading through the book of Esther and my heart was captivated by the main character’s courage. I had never read the story before. As I was reading one verse burned into my memory, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). This is Mordecai speaking (Esther’s father figure) after he informed her her that the annihilation of the jews was going to happen soon and asked her to beg the king for mercy (Mordecai and Esther were both jews as well). Esther knew that going into the king’s presence without being summoned could cost her life.
She was being pulled into two different directions. She was living in royalty while her people were on the brink of being destroyed. But Mordecai speaks truth to her simply saying she was born for such a time as this. She had been put into her royal place to do the right thing, to save the jews. She had to choose either to live comfortably and do nothing or to risk everything for her people. She chose the latter (Esther 4:16). I love that.
Around the time I read Esther’s story, I started to spend my nights pouring through World Race blogs. As I was reading, I began to hear that verse play over and over in my head in different words, “you were born for such a time as this.” It was almost inescapable, and I began to question why God would ever call me to go on the World Race. I thought to myself “God, I’m weak! You’ve seen where I’ve walked and the mistakes that I’ve made. You’ve got the wrong girl.” Slowly He began to show me that it was not about me, it was about His plan.
I was living comfortably in the normal-ness of life and I thought that it was supposed to be like that. I felt a little bit like Esther did. Yes, I could see that there was a real desperate need in the world for Jesus’ love just like Esther could see that her people were going to be destroyed. Esther knew that she would be risking her life if she did what Mordecai asked her to do, what she was born to do. But she did it. I began to wonder if I could have that same courage.
God started pulling back the layers of my heart that were so fearful and doubtful. He soothed my soul as if it were a crying child saying “shhhh I’ve got this.” So, I listened to my Father and applied for the world race. I decided it would be better to ditch my “normal” and dive into what He had in store for me. I was accepted after my second interview (on my birthday, thank you Jesus!) and here we are!
So there it is! I’m SO excited to embark on this adventure with Jesus. His plans are far greater than my own and I can’t wait to see what He does in me and my team on this journey. I’ll be posting updates on what the Lord is doing in my heart here regularly so stay tuned!
