By spring of my freshman year in college, I had already started looking at graduate school programs for international relations. Applying for undergrad was still fresh, and I was determined to know what I needed to do to make myself a competitive applicant for some of the top programs for practitioners. I planned out my summers, coursework for each semester, and which organizations I would join in the fall.
A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
It probably isn’t a surprise that nothing occurred as I’d planned. There have been numerous times I’ve unclenched my hands from what I thought was best, or necessary, and followed where God was leading me. Although suggesting that I put off graduate school for even a year would have elicited a horrified look and resounding no two years ago, the joy and anticipation I feel towards eleven months of showing God’s love and advancing His kingdom around the world is real.
I heard about the World Race in fall 2011 during a time of internal conflict. The previous winter I’d finally accepted that God was leading me not to go to graduate school right away, but the peace and joy He’d given me then was beginning to fade. There were three applications that I had completed or was in the process of finishing; either I would be teaching English in Morocco for a year or doing missions somewhere abroad for two years.
During an annual women’s retreat with my campus ministry, I ended up chatting a lot with a girl I met from USF. After discussing what I was applying to and my concerns, she mentioned that maybe I should consider the world race.
“You go to 11 countries in 11 months,” “you live out of a backpack,”“it’s life-changing…”
Because it was essentially eleven short-term mission trips, I was very skeptical of its effectiveness compared to what I was already applying for and immediately dismissed it. Traveling to eleven countries seemed awesome, but I didn’t want to sign up for a tourist trip.
Then someone recommended it to me again. And again. And again. Each time I immediately shot it down, but the final person who suggested the race to me, a woman who works where I volunteer, sat down at her desk and sent me a link to the blog of a former world racer she knew. I decided to finally check it out at this point, realizing that I’d heard about it four times in less than a month and that maybe God was trying to get my attention.
I was wrecked for days afterward. My mind wouldn’t stop chasing possibilities of what I could be doing on the Race, and I physically felt the excitement vibrating under my skin. I had to ask God to calm me down so I could concentrate in my classes and be mentally present with friends.
From reading the blogs, it was obvious that God still powerfully used Racers to impact people and give Himself glory, despite the short time frames. My question had been, “Why not stay in one place, have time to learn the language and culture well, and be able to really engage people and build meaningful relationships?” I think it’s still a valid question, but I’ve seen now that their roles and ministry just look different. I also realized my arrogance in deciding how God could best use people, myself included.
It turned out the guy whose blog I was sent to was from my hometown, and I got to schedule to meet him the next week since I’d be in town for Thanksgiving. The talk encouraged my thoughts and feelings, but I decided to wait and pray about it longer to make sure this was where God was leading me. He continued to confirm the World Race over the other options, and in mid-January I completed my application.
I am incredibly excited to see what God will do with this change in plan (mine, not His). Every time I’ve offered open hands to Him, He has consistently shown me that His plans are much sweeter and grander than my own. It’s humbling how great of a giver God is to those who don’t deserve it. I’m praying that He will use this upcoming year to advance the gospel in others and myself, that people would experience the nature of Himself and His kingdom through His work in me. I’m also praying that you will know God more fully hearing and seeing what He does through this blog.
