1 Peter 1:7 says, “These tests have come to prove your faith and to show that it is good. Gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. Your faith is worth much more than gold and it must be tested also. Then your faith will bring thanks and shining-greatness and honor to Jesus Christ when He comes again.”
As we prepare for the race, we are often challenged with thoughts that cause us to question if this is definitely what we want to do. These questions cause us to doubt our faith and trust in Jesus. And I am sure many of you can relate when it comes to making any decision that can affect your life. Whether that be a job change, moving across the country, getting married, starting a family, or choosing a college to attend. And I am sure you weigh out the pros and cons to these life changes.
Billy & I have done this SO many times when it came to just applying to the World Race. We kept thinking of all the reasons why it would be easier to not go …
It would be easier to know what kind of food was on our plates and not risk eating a tarantula.
It would be easier to stay wrapped up in our down comforter with our comfy pillows rather than not know what our sleeping conditions will look like each month.
It would be easier to wake up every morning knowing we will have water to shower and brush our teeth.
It would be easier to have electricity so I can tame my mane every day with a curling iron.
It would be easier to know that we will have internet for the day so we can connect with people back home.
It would be easier to not have to live in sweat 24/7 for 11 months.
It would be easier to have access to a full closet rather than stuffing a 65L pack with just the necessities.
It would be easier to not have to travel 10+ hours via plane, bus, or train to get to our destination.
It would be easier to stay with our friends and family.
It would be easier to stay home, have our weekly date nights, and start a family.
A lot would just be easier if we didn’t go.
It would be easier to settle into the American life and stay complacent. But that isn’t how God made Billy & I. And while some people are meant to live here (which we highly respect those who are!), we are not. We are meant to GO. We cannot picture ourselves settled into careers, a home, and a family just yet. One day we may, but right now we can’t picture it. It just isn’t us. It isn’t what we are wired to do right now.
Lately, I have caught myself wrapped up in the moments we will miss.We will miss:
engagements – weddings – family events – holidays- first dances – graduations – the growth of our 2 handsome nephews
There is so much more I can list, but we would be here forever! I have to remind myself that while we will miss these moments, we will get to see:
an orphan smile because of the love of Jesus
a prostitute come to know Jesus
a church fill with revival because of the message of Jesus
a growth in ourselves as we step out of comfort, closer to Jesus
a group of 60 people grow as a family in Christ (#SquadZ)
And each of these moments is centered around one thing: Jesus. He is the reason these moments are possible. And He is the reason we can’t NOT go.
Yes it would be easy to stay. But it would be harder if we did not go.
God never said this would be easy. In fact, He said the opposite. Look at 1 Peter 1:7 again …
“These tests have come to prove your faith and to show that it is good. Gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. Your faith is worth much more than gold and it must be tested also. Then your faith will bring thanks and shining-greatness and honor to Jesus Christ when He comes again.”
God knew we would be tested. He knew we would be tempted to pick the easy route. But I remind you, He has called us. He has called you. And when He calls His people, He makes all things possible. It is in those moments of doubt that we must choose to trust Him & choose faith. In his book, Overwhelmed, Perry Noble says,
“Anytime you make up your mind that God is able, the world is going to put pressure on you to compromise.”
I am writing this post so that you can have a better look at the struggle of a racer. These doubts and thoughts play in our minds, and in the minds of our squad-mates. We aren’t doing this because it is fun or because of the adventure. We aren’t doing this because we want to look really cool in photos or look like a “good Christian”. While all those things are great, we are truly doing this because God has called us. And He has called each of us to abandon what we know, who we know, and who we are so that He can receive the glory. So that He can work in our lives and in the lives of the people we will meet.
So, yes, it would be easy to sit back and watch other people do this while we remain comfortable. But we aren’t called to that. We are called to go. And in going we have to sacrifice things. We have to sacrifice moments with family and friends, showers, comfy beds, normal food, internet, and more. But the plan of God FAR EXCEEDS the sacrifice. And we are ready for that. We are ready to give it all up in surrender to the call of God on our lives and on our marriage.
And in talking about WE, I mean all of us – including you.
You may not be able to do something like The World Race, but I ask you: what can you sacrifice, right where you are, so that God can be known? Maybe it is sacrificing time so that you can pour into a coworker who needs hope. Maybe it is serving at a city shelter on a Saturday morning. Maybe it is helping a family in need paint their home or watch their kids. Whatever it is, I pray that God honors you for your obedience. I pray you make your relationship with God an adventure, every day, in every way. You don’t have to go on an 11 month missions trip to make God known and to reach the unreached. Look in your city. Look at your job. Look in your family. Find the broken, the hopeless, the needy. Serve them. Sacrifice your time and your gifts so that they can feel the love of Jesus. Be Jesus. Here and now. Where ever you are. Make those sacrifices so that 1 Peter 1:7 becomes alive in your life.
Loving the least,
Ashley Spriggs
