Over the past three years I’ve been to about 36 countries, many of those multiple times, seen wonders of the world and places no one else I know has seen, ate delicacies and some things I’d never touch again, stayed in mansions and have slept on the street, summited mountains and dived to new depths, have Loved and have been wounded deeper than I ever have before, have been on more 40+ hour travel days than I can count, I’ve learned so much that I know so little, failed so much I finally succeeded, danced on rooftops and have been stilled by sunsets, and I finally found what I’ve been looking for, it’s been available all this time.
In short, there’s just no way for me to fully describe these years to you. And I’m glad! Some lessons can’t be communicated because they have to be experienced. To steal your own journey and self-discovery away from you would be a travesty! I just hope my story will inspire you to embark on your own spiritual pilgrimage.
One of my favorite quotes has become these words from Sir Francis Drake.
“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess,
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity,
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas,
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back the horizon of our hopes;
And to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.
This we ask in the name of our Captain, who is Jesus Christ. ”
Life is too valuable for us to sit back, get comfortable, and let it just happen. What if we dared to do the crazy thing God is asking us to do?
How do I know there’s a crazy thing God is asking you to do?
Because everyone who has followed God’s plan for their lives has ended up doing something out of the ordinary.
My journey of saying “Yes” to God’s plan started with a small declaration at my home church on a Sunday night when I was 19. I had already given my heart to Jesus years ago, but I finally was ready to lay down my plans.
It was a simple night of worship and we started to pray for one another. There were maybe 10 people there in total. It was my turn to be prayed for. Honestly, I don’t know why I even prayed this, but I prayed and declared before everyone there a prayer of surrender of my life and plans before the Lord.
As we prayed, I recall the Lord meeting me in a way He never had before. I felt Him showing me that He heard that prayer and was going to Bless it.
I had no idea what I was signing up for. But God sure did.
The next year of my life was insane. In a series of God orchestrated moments, I went from pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at a respected university, to online Bible college and an unpaid internship with my youth pastor.
Almost two years went by. Not a lot of fruit shown for these years on the surface, but God was up to something. And I was patiently waiting.
One week, my youth pastor told me about an internship program in Colorado. It was a good step for me to take to pursue youth pastoring, which is where I felt God leading me.
That was scary, but I heard God tell me that this was the door He had prepared for me.
Again, I had no idea what I was signing up for.
So I moved to Colorado. Within the first 7 months, I had a spot to come back and direct the internship program and the pastor of the local church offered me a part-time job as their youth pastor.
I spent 6 years in total in Colorado. I had never felt so loved and accepted at that point in my life over those years. I was challenged past what I could bare, encouraged and called higher than I thought I could go, and taken back by the Blessing that God poured out through my now extended family in Cedaredge.
Then God told me to do something really scary. He showed me the World Race.
I was excited, but so scared. The thought of leaving my youth students hurt so much it made me feel physically sick.
I actually told God “no” at first.
But I took a step back and I prayed and fasted for 3 months. Additionally, I went cold turkey on video games and a few other distractions in my life.
After those months, I knew that God had prepared this for me.
The next 6 months were filled with tears and extended goodbyes. I loved (and still do!)what God had gifted me with in Colorado.
I left for the field still feeling scared and anxious, but all-in to receive what He had.
I still had no idea what I signed up for.
Those 11 months were again the hardest, best, most challenging, growing, easiest, joyful, painful, months of my life.
Then the moment happened that has brought me to now.
I was talking with the Lord in the 8th month of my original race about what I should do next.
His plan was to give me a choice between three starting places. Utah, Colorado, or Abandonment. If you’re looking for “Abandonment” on a map, you won’t find it, it a literal sense anyway.
Long story short. I knew that my “yes” was resting in Abandonment.
Then it happened.
I finally realized what I signed up for.
I didn’t sign up for Bible college, youth pastoring, moving to a new city, or the World Race. I signed up to follow Jesus. No matter what it looks like.
That path has led me here. Each step becoming more Glorious than the last. Yes it’s getting harder, but as the stakes get higher, He provides even more. Yeah, it’s getting more taxing, but He’s showing me how to Live from the Bread of Life and Living Waters that never run dry. And sure, it’s scarier than ever before, but His Perfect, Abounding, Steadfast, Unconditional, Crushing, Preserving Love casts away every fear that shows it’s ugly head.
I can’t believe how far the Lord has taken me and the things He’s shown me.
And I’m just getting started.
Here’s to an eternity of following my King, Lover, and Friend into Glory to Glory.
It’s been great World Race.
Truly great.
But it’s my time to say goodbye.
Thank you Father for using this time and this tool to change my life for eternity. I’m forever grateful for this Blessing that is beyond words and for the hands before me who have made this possible.
I know He has something more Glorious, something bigger, and something scarier around the corner for me.
He always does.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
– 2 Corinthians 3:18
On that note, a lot of people have asked about my future plans. So here’s a general outline!
Most of 2020 I’ll be in the States, spending time with family and friends. Also doing some intentional life with a couple friends who want to move with me to Indonesia. (If you haven’t heard these plans…. surprise!!). My next scary “yes” is that I’m long term looking at moving to Indonesia. Send me a message about that one if you’re interested!
So after spending some intentional time building our team and friendship in the States, we’re going to continue to see what it will take to live in Indonesia full time. This probably will include spending an extended vision trip and living in Indonesia together at the end of 2020.
I want to thank everyone again for following my journey. You have been so faithful to support me and cheer me on! This would have been impossible without you. I feel your prayers often and have been floored by your generosity. None of it has been in vain, thank you for investing in my eternity and believing in the task I’ve been given. It’s such a joy to share the fruit with you!
I want to continue our relationships into this next season. Stay tuned for further plans and vision for Indonesia!
