Ben Rector wrote a song called ‘The Men That Drive Me Places,’ if you have never heard it, it is basically from the POV of Ben Rector surveying his grand life as a singer/songwriter and paying tribute to ‘the men that drive him places.’ Throughout the song he tells their stories and how hardworking all of his drivers are. Ben wonders internally how he got to be so known by other people meanwhile his drivers are on their way to pick up another passenger, essentially working nonstop for minimal recognition. It is a truly beautiful and humbling song from a writer who takes the time to appreciate the average people in his life and recognize that it’s truly the ordinary people that make life extraordinary. To get the full effect of this blog I suggest you listen to the song at least once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npEfe_2B9Nk
Now, I know I am not a famous songwriter on stage every weekend and most of you are not personal drivers, but bear with me when I say you are the men (& women) that drive me places. Not ‘drive’ in the literal sense, but in the sense that without each and every one of you pushing me onward I would not be where I am. You have driven me financially by empowering me with the provisions to travel to Guatemala, Ethiopia, Thailand, and Malaysia. You have freely received so you have freely given. However, probably the most important way you have driven me is through your prayer and encouragement.
Each time you pray for me you are partnering with the kingdom, standing on my behalf in the ‘gap’ for my safety, provisions, health and so much more. Your prayer is what allows me to walk through hard places and not be defeated by spiritual warfare, your prayer is what allows me to be on month 5 of the race and not once have gotten sick. Your prayer is what spurs me on and keeps my spirit from being discouraged. I know for a fact I am where I am because of the fervency with which you all have been praying for me.
I also wanted to thank each and every one of you for reading my blogs, watching my youtube videos, and staying up to date on my Instagram. Whether you believe it or not, I read every single comment on each of those platforms. They bring a smile to my face and remind me why I came on the race in the first place. You might not think of it any more than a few minutes of your day, but to me it can mean everything. Being away from home for so long thoughts can creep into my head like “Is my absence noticed by anyone back home, do writing these blogs really bring any kingdom at home?” it is so easy to begin to believe the lies of the enemy, but through each one of your encouraging notes I am spurred onward to the next season.
Thank you thank you thank you, for continuing to stand with me and fight for me even as we are in month 5 of this journey. I might be the one on the stage, but you all answered the call the father put on your hearts to allow me to be here in this place. You all drove me to where I am now. You are the real stars of the story. Thanks God that he has put the calling on my life to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but even more so that he has surrounded me with people who believe in the Lord’s calling on my life and are spurred into action because of it.
What greater gift is there than to know that I have a community of believers and supporters back home that took a chance on me, trusting that I was discerning God’s voice. No one once has ever asked me “are you sure this is what you are supposed to do? Just in case before I donate.” NO! you all have amazed me incredibly by showing me the fathers love and how much he cares for me and has such a divine plan for my life through the way you have offered up provisions, encouragement, and prayer without expecting anything in return.
I am incredibly blown away each day I get to wake up on the field and live this incredible life because people like you have chosen to say yes to the fathers prompting on your heart. I cannot thank you enough, but I want you to know I wouldn’t be here in Ethiopia learning and growing what it looks like to live as an apostle daily without your support.
In the same way Ben looked at his life in amazement of the provision he had received and the ‘men who drove him places’ with such gratitude and humility. I too want you all to know how incredibly important you have been to me throughout this whole journey and no matter how ordinary you think your support is, it is actually the most influential driving force of my race.
To the people that drive me places: you have brought me through Guatemala, you have brought me to Ethiopia, and you will bring me to Asia and from there all the way home. Yes you! You allowed me to do that, and whether you are my biggest financial supporter or you lifted up a prayer that one time when I crossed your mind – you have made an impact on it all.
With a heart of gratitude and expectancy for what’s to come,
El
