It’s amazing to hear all of the different ways that the Lord has worked to bring my World Race teammates together from all over the country! I have arrived at training camp and my teammates and I have been getting to know each other. During my first few days here I had the privilege to work with some of my friends and document the story of why Shelby decided to go on the World Race! Here it is!
7th grade. I remember hearing the call God placed on my life while listening to a substitute in Bible class tell some of her testimony; she had spent some time as a missionary in Africa. Her passions for the people and the place itself stood out. I remember the feeling of intense focus, taking in every word that she said. I remember hearing from God and knowing that someday just like the sub, I will be a missionary, no matter how it looked, it would just be.
It’s funny how the enemy likes to take our focus from the Lord. For me, that was sports. Something that I was talented at and got a lot of attention for, but also something I allowed to steal my intimate relationship with God.
So many voices, including our own, can keep us from where God is calling us to be. But we don’t need the approval of others, especially when You know you’re called by God.
Sometimes it takes being injured, becoming homeschooled, and coming back to a state where you are familiar, to finally pursue the call that God has placed within you. Well… that’s what it took for me. The desires He has placed within us sometimes come in our alone time, when we sit in the presence of our Father and worship Him. We come home, just like the parable of the lost son, and I’m so thankful that He meets us with arms wide open, ready to continue building intimacy.
Have you ever had a come to Jesus moment that hurts a little? For me, it was the Ambassador trip to Guatemala I took last summer. A season of moving into unfamiliarity led me to put nursing on the back burner and to pursue the World Race. I wanted nothing more than to introduce people to the real Jesus & His unconditional love. Ultimately, I wanted to choose surrender.
“He who calls you, is faithful and he’ll surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:27
This verse is a reminder of the calling that God’s put on my life. No matter the obstacles I face, if He’s called me to do something, He’s faithful to see it through. And that’s the beauty in surrendering your yes to Jesus.
Thank you so much for reading! I cannot wait to share more of what I am learning when I return home from my 2-week training.
