If I could, would I stay in this place of untainted beauty and bliss? Would I bask in the calm and comfort of ideal surroundings? Would I remain in this dreamland of emerald waters and gold dust sands and shut my heart to the cry of a fallen world beyond the horizon I see? On the opposite shore of this great Pacific lie such places as Cambodia and Thailand facing inconceivable poverty and desperation. The world race could take me there.
Love obligates me to go…
Only idolatry is risk-free. Partnering with God is assuming a lifestyle of risk. It would be safer, easier, and definitely more comfortable to remain in my cozy circle where I can keep it all together. But God is looking for people who are willing to become inconvenienced for the sake of the gospel. Willing to be broken and poured out. Not to be recognized as some great missionary, but that Jesus be recognized as a glorious Saviour!
RISK. Inconvenience. CHALLENGE. I want to go there…
I want to go past the point of no return. That if God does not show up, I fail. If supernatural empowerment does not happen, I am ineffective and fruitless. If divine intervention is not present, I die. I want to go knowing that even though I don’t have what it takes, God does. Faith is not theology; it is risk. The lifestyle of risk is not a short term commitment; it is a long term covenant. BECAUSE JESUS.
Jesus keeps drawing me into greater abandonment of self in realizing the severity of the high calling that following him puts upon me. Fears and misgivings that I didn’t even realize I was harboring about the world race are being broken off. The thought of sleeping on hard floors, going without water, and eating deep fried mice no longer intimidates me. BECAUSE JESUS.
Living in Hawaii the past three months has certainly taught me alot about living in community and loving humans well. My levels of tolerance and acceptance in undesirable living conditions have been stretched. To stand in five inches of unclean water because of a shower drain not draining, and not feeling upset, is in itself a commendable step of growth.
In learning though, I’ve also come to the stark realization that I have still a ton more to learn if I hope to do the world race well.
True Joy is found on the other side of full surrender.
Thank you friends for your love and prayers!! For more information about the upcoming trip I’m about to embark, you can search worldrace.org on October route Chile to Uganda. There’s some info about each country I’ll be going, and you can even meet my squad!
