Opportunities.
It seems like I've gotten quite a few lately. A large part of that is due to the WR. I mean obviously the Race gives me a ton of opportunities I might not otherwise have had. For example, I get to travel to 11 countries I have never been to. That's pretty exciting and without the Race, I probably would never get to do that. I also get to meet a ton of new, fantastic, and unique friends who I can guarantee will become my family. I'm sure that I would meet new people if I wasn't going on the Race (I mean, unless I locked myself in my house forever), but instead I get to meet these people, which I'm really excited about! I also get to participate in "declaring His works among the nations." I definitely would be involved in this even if I wasn't going on the Race, but not in the same capacity and probably not in the same intensity.
But the Race is also giving me a lot of other kinds of opportunities. For example, lately I've had the opportunity to see people's generosity and support. People I don't even know want a t-shirt with my name on it! People who might not have a lot to give are making sacrifices so they can support me. I know this is only the beginning, but this support just blows my minds. I am so so thankful.
The WR also gives me the opportunity to have discussions with people about what I believe. Throughout ordinary life, it's often hard to strike up a conversation with someone, even people you know really well, about beliefs/religion/christianity/whatever without coming off "preachy" or "Bible-thumping" or "pushy" or etc. But the Race God has given me the perfect opportunity to talk with people. Everyone naturally asks what my plans are after graduation and the door is immediately opened for me to tell them about the WR and about Christ and his calling on my life.
I guess you could say that God had it all figured out to begin with, that He has the perfect timing and knows just how everything will play out. Well, I don't guess. I know.
