The past few years have been the most intense of my life. Explosive in ways I never could imagined and covering every aspect of my emotions, spirituality and my mental and physical capacities.
It’s hard to think of the person I used to be before Jesus stepped in and I handed control over to Him – painful because I think of the people I hurt [myself included] and the mistakes I made. But so full of joy at the same time, knowing with all of my heart, body, mind and soul that the Lord has redeemed me from my most shattered of frames and has lifted me up on His shoulders so that I could move forward on this Earth and use the gifts I’ve been given to glorify Him and further the Kingdom.
My motivation for the World Race was completely gifted to me by grace and I was immediately drawn to the Expedition Route. The fact that it goes through the most unreached area of the world is what appeals to me ; just to imagine someone we would pass wouldn’t have heard of the Gospel, of the victory and the chance to let God speak through us and use us to impact those lives is incredible.
The countries :
- Indonesia
- Bangladesh
- India
- Nepal
- Tibet/China
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Georgia
- Turkey
- Tunisia
- Morocco
This area, said to have the highest degree of socioeconomic challenges and the least access to the Gospel and His goodness on this entire Earth is made for the people who have a fire burning in them. It’s made to be brought to life by the people who have been broken, who understand what it is to be lost and who have received so much, they want to give it all.
I’m done with complacency and being satisfied with a roof over my head and food in my belly – I will always be forever grateful for the blessings I have so constantly received, but it’s time to give back and to do it in a real way. All of my energy, my time, my heart, my soul, my body – it aches to be pushed to its limits and this route is the one that is on my heart and it was put there for a reason. God isn’t always so blatant with instruction – but when He is, I have learned to respond faithfully.
It is hard to imagine being somewhere in which words have no power of influence ; as a linguist, words fascinate me and I have long since been wary of the weight they carry – life giving or death giving. Such an adventure awaits in being in a culture where my only influence is my character – both exciting and intimidating. Exciting, because I don’t have to worry about eloquent language and extreme articulation in exactly the right way so no one can misinterpret what comes out of my mouth. Exciting because it means my heart will be laid bare and every intention and purpose in my heart will be worn on my sleeve. Intimidating for the same reason – I will be completely exposed and no words of assurance can mask doubts or despair.
But the opportunity is so heavy with love and with impact, this challenge is great but it is not impossible because we are always under the Lord’s guidance, so long as we continue trusting His path for us. I’m grateful for the perspective I have on challenges ; seeing every one as an opportunity to grow, to push yourself – that’s how I see this. Everything seems more daunting if you see it as an obstacle and that fear perpetuates the pedestal we put it on – growing taller, scarier, further out of reach. But when we see that as an opportunity, much like having to rely on character instead of the words we are so accustomed to depending on, we take away the negative power that looms !
In seeing it as an opportunity, we fight fire with fire and we readily strap on the heart of God for, if He is for us, who could ever be against us ? And this faith is not rooted in nothing – I am not a sheltered, naive girl, ignorant to the ways of the world and the apathy my generation is poisoned with. This faith comes from years of letting evil dominate me and guide me. This faith comes from the challenge of choosing God and the growing pains that came along with the change of attitude and change of heart. It comes from the unwavering, unending, unfailing love of the One God that will never give me up and that will never give up on me.
Jesus has empowered me as His ambassador and called me into battle. This world we live in is a war, day after day, but we have every resource, every tool to come out on top because we have God on our side. I’m terrified for this journey, no doubt – but I choose to live expectantly and with a steady heart, ready to take on every challenge to share all of the grace, mercy and goodness our Lord so readily pours out over me every single day. I’m ready to welcome the season.
#welcometheseason #praise #corriesrace #theworldrace
