“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
First off, re-read that verse. It gets me every. single. time. These were words of the apostle Paul. What a life motto! I have attempted to make this mine and while I fail time and time again, I have learned to apply it to my desire to participate in The World Race. I mean, “that I may complete the race”? I love God’s humor. This is exactly what we are doing, giving up “our” lives for the ones God has planned for us, which require us to “testify to the gospel of God’s grace”. Aside from that, nothing else we do in life is of worth according to Paul. Which is more important to you – what you get out of life, or what you put into it? That’s unfortunately a tough one.
To counteract that, there are tons of things about my life that I do love and consider priceless. Big and little things, important and not-so important things . . doesn’t matter. I love simplicity, and quite frankly get stressed out when too much is going on. I have been very blessed with an amazing family which is my rock. As has every family, we too have been through many trials and difficult times; however, it would most likely be unanimous that these trials have brought us closer together and most importantly, closer to the Lord. On another note, it is quite possible that I have the cutest niece and nephews ever. Sorry if I am biased; decide for yourself. I would have a complete family photo, but we don’t do that haha. Sometimes I take the things I love the most for granted, such as my family.
I have been at The University of Mississippi (OLE MISS) for the past 5 years, during which I received both my Bachelor and Master degrees in Special Education. I have realized that my heart breaks for people in need. This stems from my choice of major and desire to work with persons with special needs, but extends to the greater picture of all humanity and each person’s “need” to experience Christ’s love and a relationship with Him. I found my faith family during college in Campus Crusade for Christ. My somewhat consistent involvement kept me “grounded” (sort of) throughout the years and provided me with priceless knowledge that not only allowed me to grow tremendously in my personal faith, but recently equipped me to share it with others as well. I have had the opportunity to go on various mission trips with Crusade, but my heart was introduced to its true desire of ministry at a Campus Crusade Summer Project in Jackson Hole, WY. That summer was a life-changing experience which broke me and molded me into a clearer image of who the Lord was calling me to be.
So here I am, ready for God to use me for whatever purpose He may choose. Has it been a process getting here? Well I am glad you asked because YES, it most definitely has been. Although rocky, my college experience shaped me into the woman I am today; therefore, I would not change a bit of it. Do I wish that I wouldn’t have been so stubborn in getting to where I am today? Yes. God in His faithfulness used both good and bad experiences, tons of awful decisions, three changes of majors, and countless heartaches throughout the years to reveal Himself and His purpose for my life to me, and ultimately has drawn me closer to Him. (I will spare you those details for now.. we have a long journey ahead.) I will NEVER be able to praise Him and thank Him enough for that, but I am sure going to try. Things in my life have been happening fast, and I am convinced this is due to my decision to fully place my life (past, present, and future) in God’s hands. He has been using and teaching me in many ways, and as a result continues to open my heart to the souls of others and is strengthening my desire of winning these souls for Him.
God has been testing me left and right in standing up for my relationship with Him because this is something I struggled with the majority of my life, despite the fact that I entrusted my life to Him in the 9th grade. I can look back at so many times when He gave me opportunities to do this and I dropped the ball, majorly. He never let go of me and He never will, despite how terrible of a sinner I am, and how often I still mess up or push Him aside. Thank goodness He loves works in progress, because that is exactly what we will all be until the day we die and He again, makes us new. If Jesus’ death on the cross can save me from my own sin and make me new, it definitely can for YOU! The best thing is, all you have to do is accept this gift of grace. I have become more aware of the fact that every Christian has a story, and every Christian is called to use it. The World Race is not about any of us participants, but about spreading the love and truth of Jesus Christ that we know personally, which is what we are called to do as Christians. If you take anything from reading this, please note that no one is more worthy of this love/acceptance than any other person that has or will ever live. Thanks for reading and if you want to know more, just ask!!
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
(Romans 10:14-15)
despises sweet tea.
like them.
thrift store or bookstore for hours.
what I want to listen to.
many strangers.
