FundRELEASING
Note: I am FULLY FUNDED! If you wish to continue to bless me TO BE A BLESSING, please give all donations through my PayPal (send money to a friend) using [email protected]. STOP all donations to this blog, as they will be placed in the organization’s general fund, and will not support my race. Below you will find my FundRELEASING story:
Jehovah Jireh… MY GOD PROVIDES! This is not a party made for one, but He would celebrate ONE no less. He did it! God has RELEASED more than $18,000 over a period of 11 months, fully funding this World Race journey on Thanksgiving night. I have not had one penny to my name this entire race, that did not come through the hands of His people, and I wouldn’t change my fundraising story if I could. I knew as a teacher at the age of 22, that God would change my classroom in year 11. I said it out loud, and I didn’t hesitate, knowing it would require much sacrifice, and yet nothing at all. I have had the honor of watching as He reveals Himself as the ultimate provider in India, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, BEFORE seeing Him come through for me on this, and simply trusting that He would. JEHOVAH JIREH! Those two words cannot pass over my lips without eliciting a smile rooted and established in love, unswervingly holding to His promise that He who promised IS faithful.
You see, we don’t get to know which side of Heaven we will see His provision on any one thing, but we can trust that He will provide not one day sooner than His design, and in His perfect timing. I serve a last minute God who is always on time. Never did I waver. Never did I waste one thought on worry over World Race funds. And always did I believe, He would accomplish His purposes, and His daughter would not return to Him empty, always loving from the overflow and returning to His faithfulness. Oh the stories, as I witness His work throughout the world. I chose to put all my weight on His release, as the lover of my soul. I settled early on, that I did not want to be on World Race one more day than He wanted me to, and chose instead, to rest in the finished work of Christ.
Fundraising is not about you. It’s about the stories of the givers and the obedience YOU choose to step into. The ASK is on you. The response is not. Do not disqualify anyone from the ask, or make decisions based on how you feel, but on what is right. I choose to operate in and out of a place of He is able, and live a life full of invitation and celebration, from a place of unyielding gratitude. Settle it, THIS day, and worry no more. Loosen your grip, extend your hand, and He will extend your reach. For me, the only reason to have is to give. Let them love you, and let them bless you, through His release.
Do you practice this? Are you willing to adjust yourself to truth? Are you teachable? Will you test Him in this? The invitation has been given. I won’t make the same mistake again. I’ve learned that too often, I fail to impart what I carry. The depth of peace that God gave me over World Race, has the power to change lives, and give perspective that removes any chance of fundraising being a distraction. As my supporters know, I only had one prayer request. NO illness, injury, or fundraising distractions. AND since November 2013, I have seen Him deliver on that prayer over and over again. I mean really, who else can say that they haven’t even suffered through a simple cold in 2 years? I don’t dismiss His kindness in this, but strive to live my life saying thank you with everything I say and do.
You may wonder why I chose the word RELEASE, when describing His provision. Well, I have a proposal to make. I propose that we lose the word raise and replace it with release, when describing the action one must take to follow through on a YES. Fundraising is one comPOUND word that delivers exactly that. A punch to the gut, and more than a pounding in the chest. It brings out in God’s YES men and women so much worry, anxiety, unworthiness, and doubt, further hindering what God can do through a person who will just step into what He has with obedience, trusting Him with the details. Let’s call it what it is. It’s a scheme of the enemy, that’s what. AND I am not unaware of his schemes. He doesn’t need one more avenue to make your mind his playground.
You don’t raise money like you raise cattle. I would even venture to say that we don’t raise children, and instead rear and release adults. You are called to raise awareness and He releases the funds through people who love your heart and the things of His. I say it in that matter, because not everyone who gave to me are followers of Christ, but simply believe in me, see a changed life, and the needs of the world.
Scripture reads, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” If He is ABLE and you are WILLING, what more is there?
