Time seems to be slipping by far too quickly these
days. It’s
already October and at the end of this week I’ll be leaving for ten days
of intensive World
Race training in Georgia! I’ll be meeting my team, testing out my tent
pitching skills and learning a little more about what the next year of
my life is going to look like. I find myself more and more frantic by
the day! I’m now
constantly questioning myself, “Brianna, WHY the World Race?�. Why am I
this crazy person who feels an almost unexplainable desire to leave
home, friends, family, job and comfortable bed for a year? I don’t
really like the outdoors, I’ve never seen the appeal of hiking, I get
grouchy when I don’t have enough ‘personal space’ and I hate the idea of
not being able to stop for a Polar Pop whenever I have the urge. Sooooo WHY
the World Race?
Well, it turns out
that the answer is actually pretty simple: I desire to love God with
every bit of my heart, soul, mind and strength. I want to give my life
to something (SOMEONE) who matters. Far too many people are living lives filled with complacency and are
holding themselves to a standard of mediocrity. I refuse to live that
life, and so should you. He has called us all to something greater! And
this trip is just a part of that “greater” for me.
I desire to see
God move in amazing ways. Crazy ways. I want to see Him open blind eyes
and deaf ears. I want to witness the lame that are miraculously able to
leap for joy! I believe these things will happen, not because of
anything that I am able to do, but because of His divine plan and
incredible grace. However, I believe that these things will only happen
when those who CLAIM to believe His Word actually DO what He says.
He says, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
He says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for
themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge
fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
He says, “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
He says, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
He says, “This is
how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material
possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can
the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or
tongue but with actions and in truth.”
So that, in my rambling and disjointed way, is my
explanation of “why the world race”. I’m going to spend a year traveling
the world, loving the ‘least of these’ and giving of myself, for Him. I
honestly feel so blessed to even have this opportunity, and cannot wait
for my first taste of the WR experience this week!
I’ll be keeping you updated as I’m sure 
I’ll have some great stories to share after training camp.
Oh, and for those of you who are unfortunately unaware, a Polar Pop is a particular brand of delicious soda that comes in a foam cup and can only be found at certain gas stations 🙂 They are wonderful, only $.75 and I truly WILL miss them! —>
Peace&Love
Brianna
