When people ask me why I’m doing the world race my response is always, after a lot of praying I felt called to go and knew it was what I was supposed to do. The reason is so much more than that but there never seems to be enough time to explain my whole heart behind going. My whole squad was asked to write about why we are going on the world race, so I began to look internally and search for all the reasons why. I knew I wanted to go because I felt called to go, I love Jesus and I love serving, but as I continued to think my heart began pouring over and I was reminded of all the big and small reasons why I’m going on the world race. Here is my heart and my reasoning laid out.
Why am I going on the world race…?
I’m going because my heart swells up and I can’t help but have the biggest smile ever when I think about little kids experiencing pure joy and the fact that I get to be a part of that for some kids makes me feel beyond excited.
Because I want to tell every single person across the world about my best friend Jesus, I want to share the gospel and pray for them.
Because the gospel, the story of Jesus is to good and to life giving to not share with those who are broken and need restoration.
Because I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
Because my heart breaks for people who feel unheard or unloved and I want to be an example of Jesus’s love for people who need it the most.
Because my heart rejoices in the quiet moments I spend in awe of Jesus, when I slow down enough to listen and rest in his presence and going on the world race, I get 9 whole months to focus my heart only on him.
Because this world is too beautiful to not go an explore it and the life we have been given is too short to wait until I’m “older”.
Because being surrounded by like-minded followers of Jesus is the most encouraging, positive, fun, and life-giving experience and I get to live with 60 of these type of people for 9 whole months!!
Because there are too many people who haven’t heard about Jesus and if I can be a part of a team that can change that for even just a handful of people then sign me up!!
Because I want to learn, grow and dive deeper into my relationship with Jesus.
Because when God pulls on your heart and pushes you in a direction you better follow.
Because college didn’t feel right, and I knew God had something else in store for me.
Because as a follower of Christ I have the command from Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations.
I feel so lucky that I have the opportunity to go on the world race, I can’t wait to go and be a part of my amazing squad that is now called gap B! Thinking and reflecting over all the reasons why I’m going brings me so much joy and I’m so excited! With all that being said…. Am I nervous? Absolutely. Am I scared? You bet. I know the race won’t be easy and sometimes I might forget why I’m there. So, having these written down and being able to look back over and remember when things get tuff will be so good and so special. The reasons for me wanting to go far outweigh any hardships I might experience on the race and I’m fully trusting in the Lord throughout this whole journey. One of my favorite verses ever is 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” And that’s why I’m going on the race, to be a part of an organization and a team that will bring freedom to the countries of Swaziland, Thailand and Nicaragua. Freedom to not only the people of those country’s but also to myself and all the people on my team.
