Why I would write a blog post encouraging people not to go on the World Race? For the very reason of everything I’ve gone through. I have experienced the Race. I have learned from it, grown through it, lived it, and here is what I have to say.
If you want a mountaintop experience with God, don’t go on the World Race.
If you want to travel and experience the world, don’t go on the World Race.
If you want great stories to tell your friends when you get home, don’t go on the World Race.
If you want to have a good community/family, don’t go on the World Race.
If you want to escape life, don’t go on the World Race.
If you want to change the world, don’t go on the World Race.
Why?
You want a mountaintop experience? You will probably get it, but there are two sides to a mountain; you have to first climb it and then come down. The depths are frightening, but that is where we grow.
You want travel and experience? You will get them. Remember this, you will see new things, but new becomes old after a while and contentment becomes a struggle. You have to look at every moment through the Holy Spirit.
You want great stories? Sure you can have stories to tell, but will you have the relationships to go with them? Stories can get a little bland with the retelling and become just another experience. Unless, it is fueled by a heart for the people involved and a love of God.
You want to build a great community? The people you travel with will become your family, but it will be like any other family. There will be disagreements. There will be hurt. People are people, even when there is love there is also humanity. When God is in your midst, though, you learn to love through the hurt, to let it strengthen you, and teach you deep love and forgiveness.
You want to get away from the troubles of home? Yeah, you can leave them, but life at home doesn’t stop. The hurts will still be there. New things can come up. Going on the Race will not change what is happening there, only what is in your heart. Maybe that can be the change that is needed, but prayer is the best way to start, not running.
You want to change the world? Sure we can be the ones out there doing amazing things to make the world a better place, but what will that do? Would it not be better to let God change the world and perhaps use us if He so wants. Will that not last much longer.
The bottom line is, where is your heart? What is your motivation? Is it to get good pictures and stories? Is it to make you feel better about your life? Are you the motivation?
Don’t go on the World Race.
But, if you truly desire to run after God, to serve Him completely, to willingly step into the unknown because He asks, and to love others with His heart- then, by all means, go on the World Race.
Through Christ,
Brooke
Proverbs 31:12, Psalm 119:20
