Throughout my entire high school career the questions were always the same. What college will I attend? What career path do I want to pursue? What job can I picture myself doing for years to come? I never knew the answers to these questions, and even now, as a second semester senior, I cannot come up with anything.
The plan was always to go to college. My parents had high expectations for me, as I did for myself. I would go to a good university and get good grades and graduate. That was the only thing I had in mind. It never occurred to me that I had to make some serious life decisions until this past September. I felt as though all of my friends and peers knew exactly what they wanted, and I had no clue! College application deadlines were fast approaching and I decided to go with it and apply to a few without actually thinking it through. I wanted to seem like I actually had it together for my future and that I was not completely clueless.
After a few weeks of hard thinking, I decided that I would first go into cosmetology, earn my certification, and then hopefully start attending a University while having a decent paying job. This made complete sense to me. I would be giving myself an entire extra year, while earning my cosmetology license, to figure out what I would study and what career path I would start.
Then one day, I see a post on Instagram of a man next to a few elephants with the biggest smile on his face and I thought “wow, I’d love to do that someday”. The caption talked a little about this man and how he is currently on something called the World Race for 11 months going to 11 different countries. I felt the urge to look into it more. It was then I came upon the World Race Gap Year; a much different race for 18-22 year olds. This race is a nine month missions trip to 3 different continents; Central America, Southeast Asia and South Africa.
By this point, I was pushing it further out of my mind. Leaving the United States for nine whole months without seeing family or friends or my beloved dogs? No way! This was not for me! The more I tried to push it out of my mind, the more it took over my thoughts. I would find myself on the website six or seven times a day. This is exactly what I didn’t want! I had it all figured out. I had a plan after graduation just like everyone I knew. I was going to go to college like I was supposed to do.
But God was telling me no.
God was pulling my heart more and more and even more towards this opportunity. I had realized the mistake I was making this whole time.
I was making my own plans and deciding for myself what my life was going to look like. I never once asked God what He wanted for me. I would always think to myself that yes, I trust God with everything I have and that Gods plans for me are much greater than the plans I have for myself, but now I was being challenged. I had to really think about what it meant to be called out by God and to listen. And now I know it means to leave behind all that I’ve ever known for 9 months, and chase after and serve him because this is what He wants for my life.
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely excited for this! More excited than I would have ever pictured myself being for something this crazy. I am definitely scared though, about everything. There are so many things that could happen both out on the field and here at home while I am away, and how could I possibly raise almost $13,000 in less than a year?
With that being said, I have been reminded daily of God’s faithfulness to me. Every time I think about my fears, there is something that stands out even more; God is in control.
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
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Love always, Bri
