The other night I was asked a question I’ve answered a million times, but it wasn’t the question that surprised me, it was the response to my answer.
I was sitting at the table enjoying a Christmas Eve dinner, because here in Chile the big day to celebrate isn’t Christmas Day but Christmas Eve. I had the opportunity to celebrate with my first host family and their siblings. With the help of google translate and my fabulous Spanglish, one of the brothers asked me why I was here on the race.
I answered like I’ve answered many of times, “I have no idea what to do with my life” and instead of just agreeing or telling me I’m young and that’s okay, he began to talk about God’s purpose for our lives. He talked about the journeys God gives us and it’s up to us to have enough faith to walk the path. There’s no age limit on when it’s time to live out God’s purpose for us, but there is a need to listen. Listen to when Gods pushing you away from something and towards something new. As he spoke I was drawn in immediately, because his words rang so true to where I am right now in life.
He ended his talk with a story.
Elephants in the circus are brought in very young and trained to act. When they’re young they are given a giant medal chain around their ankle so they can’t escape. As they grow older the chain becomes smaller and smaller, until they are fully grown and the only thing holding the chain together is a tiny medal rod. See, the elephants at any time have the ability to break free from that small chain, but don’t because they still believe it’s this giant chain holding them there. We as humans live a similar life. We live a life so held back by our past or by age or a job, that instead of breaking free and following Gods path for us, we stay stuck. We have the ability to break free at any time. No time will ever be “the right time” you just have to have enough faith in Gods plan and start walking. Faith equals risk. Our Father would never lead us astray, so why are we so scared to listen?
These words couldn’t be more true. Whether 18 or 80, I truly believe God has the most perfect timing for His children to begin their journey. He knows when we need to break free from the chains and walk into His arms. My timing came two years into college, and honestly I wouldn’t have done it any other way. God has shown me my purpose here over and over and I’m so blessed to be walking my journey.
The last thing I was left with that night was a bible verse.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead”-Philippians 3:13
Walking by faith isn’t easy, but with God by your side it will always be worth it.
***Thank you so much to everyone who has followed my journey and supported me financially and in prayer. I am forever grateful. I have one week left in Chile before I head to Peru and spend two months there. I am currently $1,700 short of being fully funded. If you feel lead to help me reach my goal and stay out on the field, whether $10 or $100, you can on my blog homepage, just click the orange “donate” button. (Adventures is tax deductible!!!!) If you can’t donate financially please continue to pray for my team and I as we end this last week and begin the next journey. May this new year be full of growth and broken chains***
