I recently finished a book called “Wide Awake” by Erwin McManus. He spoke at my church several months back, very enthusiastically. He takes a look at God from an artistic perspective and really reveals to his audience that life’s not just about work and strife. God has a very specific purpose for us that is unlikely a boring one. He uses scripture to show that it’s okay to take risks and pursue passions and God-given gifts.
Now, I’m the kinda person who reads a chapter and doesn’t touch it again for a month, but that really served me well throughout the World Race application and fundraising process. I constantly had doubts and went back and forth about whether or not I should do this. Each week I would experience this, but God continued to sneak in affirmation that yes! this is the road he wanted me to follow. Every single church service I have attended since I began applying has encouraged me in some way, and every time between then and now I have picked up this book receiving further affirmation. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This book fell into my hands at the right moment, and it has continued to encourage me ever since.
I have learned that God has big dreams for me. I have learned that it is very fearful and lazy of me to not pursue these dreams. It would be easy for me to stay in my comfort zone, to stay in my bubble, and continue to live out the American dream. It would be easy for me to reject my curiosity, because pursing it takes a lot of risk. At my age, it’s not altogether easy to put my life on hold. I’ll be 27 when I leave. I’ve been out of college for 4 years. I should be pursuing my career. I’m in a committed relationship. There are voices in my head telling me to play it safe and be smart and efficient with my time. But this book has continued to push me. Every time I pick it up it tells me to keep dreaming big and keep fighting for those dreams. It tells me to not settle for comfort. God wants me to use the gifts He gave me for His vision! I believe He wants this for all of us! To take a chance on what He has gifted us and share it with the world. It’s not meant to be bottled up.
Despite these little voices in my head telling me I’m nuts, I believe God will continue to affirm my decision in pursuing The World Race and I can’t wait to see what He does with it 🙂 Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. I am honored to share this experience with you.
Some quotes in this book that spoke to me throughout the application and fundraising process:
“To some of you, God is literally saying, you need to leave your country, your relatives, your house and go to a place you’ve never known if you are going to live the life of your dreams.”
“It is possible you’ll never find greater contentment or joy or exhilaration until you’re willing to give up what you know and what you have for what awaits and exists in the unknown.”
“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
“The less you enjoy your life, the weaker you will be on your journey. Why? Because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
“What do you do when you have great dreams and inadequate talent? You have to believe in the greatness of others.”
“… learn to invest in people and build relationships and value community and be truly human…”
“Adaptability is not the result of a hallow core, but of clarity and conviction about what is at your core. Don’t confuse being rigid and unchanging with having convictions.”
Wide Awake – Erwin McManus
