Tomorrow I officially am on the World Race! In less than 24 hours, I will take off on a plane and not set foot on American soil again for 11 months. It seems surreal, but I am ready. I am ready to get my hands dirty. I am ready to not just talk about it, but do it.
This is the eve of probably the most life-changing adventure that will ever happen to me. The things that I will see and do will forever change me, and hopefully others will be changed as well. As I sit here in my comfy, Holiday Inn hotel bed, I can’t help but dream a little about how all of these changes are going to play out.
As I’ve prepared for the Race, one of my favorite passages of scripture has been Matthew 14:25-33, when Jesus walks on water. (I included the whole passage at the end if you want to read it.) I relate to Peter in this story in so many ways. Like Peter, I am stepping into the unknown, counting on Jesus to keep me afloat. Like Peter, I freak out and realize how crazy what I’m doing actually is. And finally, like Peter, Jesus shows me how silly my doubt really is.
Tonight, I am hung up on the last line, where all who witness the event exclaim, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” Afterwards, word spreads and droves of people come to meet Jesus. I could go on and on about the specifics of my hopes for the World Race, but that sums it up. My hope is that my little step of faith will have huge repercussions for not only myself, but for my friends and the kingdom. That others will see something and come face-to-face with their living God. That they will have a radical and life-changing encounter with a powerful and graceful God who will never let them sink.
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
Thank you to all my supporters and encouragers that have gotten me this far. I am so, so grateful and I couldn’t have done it without you!!! Keep the prayers coming. 🙂
Matthew 14:25-33:
During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking out on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it is you,” Peter said, “Tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then, those who were in the boat worshiped him saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
