You know those dreams that you have in high school? The ones where there is a slight possibility of it actually happening, but the odds are pretty much stacked against you and this far off dream? Going on the World Race was mine. I was a junior in high school and I heard about a crazy mission trip to 11 countries for 11 months… My cousin and I dreamed of doing this together, but time went on and reality struck for both of us. We both went to college and got our degrees and our dream of going together became a distant memory. Don’t get me wrong, my cousin is still involved in missions and is still serving the Lord with her whole heart, but this just isn’t the call that God has for her at the moment. For me, it was obviously a different story.
It started almost a year ago on the day that I was sitting on the floor of my living room whining to my friends that I have no idea what I am going to do with my life after I graduate in just 5 short months. That night is when God struck a cord in my heart. He told me missions is where I need to be in this season of life. I pushed back… a lot. I sat there for days looking at the button on my brightly lit laptop screen that stated “apply now!” I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t just give up my life for a year. I have a great job that I adore, I have friends and family that I don’t want to leave, I’m comfortable where I am. And of course, when you say things like that God convicts you.
I learned a valuable lesson in my comfort. I learned I wasn’t, in most aspects of my life, dependent on God. For around two years I was doing things my way and it was working. Why would I depend on God if I could just depend on myself? At least then I wouldn’t be as disappointed if things didn’t work out my way… But i knew better. I had seen in so many instances in my life that depending on yourself will bite you in the butt, and I sure as heck didn’t want that to happen to me. So I did the thing that was most uncomfortable to me… i clicked the button that said “apply now!” And that’s where this journey began.
Fast forward to now. Here I am, in Atlanta waiting for Launch to see the 40 people I have grown to call family. And my emotions are not what I expected them to be.
Over the past few weeks I have said many goodbyes and with almost every one of those comes the same question,
“Are you nervous?”
You would think I would be, right? I mean, I’m leaving for a year with a select few of my belongings in a 68L pack, and I have no ideas what obstacles may come my way. That’s a crazy thought, but what’s even crazier is the fact that I have never felt more at peace with the unknown.
Why? Why do I feel this peace? Why can I say with confidence that everything will work out, when I have no idea what is to come within these next 11 months?
The answer is simple… I said yes. I did the thing that made me more uncomfortable in the moment. I clicked the “apply now!” button and look where it has taken me.
I only have around $3,000 left to raise, and there is no way I would have been able to raise $15,000 with out the hand of God guiding my every move. I am about to embark on a journey with 40 people I know will love me and support me. Last, I get to do what I love… travel and tell people about Jesus. HOW STINKING COOL IS THAT?!
So this is my challenge to you, get uncomfortable. No where does it say that your walk with Jesus is going to be easy, and it honestly shouldn’t be. It should be an interruption of your daily life and put you in a place where you can only keep going on His strength. What is the “yes” that Jesus is asking you to give? What has made you so comfortable that you ignore the calling of God in your life? Identify those things and make the change. Say yes. Get uncomfortable. It’s so worth it, because when you do God gives you peace beyond your own understanding.
With that, friends, I embark on this crazy adventure soon. I wouldn’t be where I am without the prayer and support I have received from all of you.
Prayer requests as I start this journey:
•I still have around $3,000 left to raise and would love to be fully funded before I take off for Serbia on Monday the 7th!
•Prayer for my team, Team Abundance, as we do ministry in the town of Novi Sad, Serbia
•I have a leadership role for my squad! I am one of two logistics coordinators that arrange transportation, plan debriefs, and lead travel days. Prayer for wisdom and knowledge as I have to deal with many different cultures and many different forms of transportation throughout the world.
•I have to say the hardest goodbye in a few days. On Saturday the 5th my parents and I have to part ways for the next 8 months.
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Caleb Callaway
Here is a low quality picture of me with all of my gear on!
