I’ve had a few people tell me they’re unsure about donating toward the Race, wondering “what if you don’t raise enough?”
“What if you don’t go?”
“What if you don’t get enough to leave in January?”
“What if you don’t make it?”
“What if you don’t ______?”
First of all, sheesh, have a little faith, would ya? I mean, this is a huge leap of faith that I’m taking, and I can guarantee you, you are not the first to ask me any of these questions. I beat you to it. My self doubt is a big enough battle, please don’t make me fight your doubt as well.
Here’s the bottom line: I believe in the Race; I believe this is what I’ve been called to do; and finally I believe that my God provides. I don’t know how He’ll do it, but He always finds a way.
Let me tell you a story.
When I was first deciding whether or not I could handle the Race, I was filled with so much excitement, but so many doubts. What if I’m not good enough? What if I don’t know enough scripture? What if I don’t know the right words to say? What if I’m not even accepted?
I went back and forth for a while: praying, getting excited, backing away, receiving encouragement from friends and family, and repeat.
One night I felt confident that I was making the right decision by pursuing the race, and was watching “just one more…” vlog from current Racers. In this vlog, the team was just starting, day 1, in their first country. What was supposed to be an off day to relax before starting ministry the following day, turned into its own day of ministry. On their very first day of this extraordinary journey, these girls were up on stage speaking in a church service, then were invited into small rooms to pray over people with lines forming outside. I was again struck with the fear that I’m just not enough for this ministry. Queue speech anxiety and the record of thoughts of self doubt. I was just upset by this, shut my computer, and went to bed feeling defeated.
That night I had a dream. It was a very vivid dream. In it, the thoughts and fears that had been setting up camp in my head over the past few months were acted out one by one. Each one of my fears was turned into dream-reality, and were affirmed one by one. Toward the end of the dream, I was beat down, and knew I had to make the decision. Would I join the race, or would I not?
Finally I just said to myself “what if I don’t?” What if I don’t go on the Race? What does that mean? I stay in my comfort zone, I continue working my 9-5, and I will just have to seek comfort in knowing I tried. “What if I don’t?”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard “What if you do?” And I was wide awake.
Is it really that simple? Here I am wondering what’s the worst that could happen if I just don’t, when really I can just as easily ask, what’s the worst that could happen if I just DO?
So, to return to donations. What if I don’t meet my massive $16k goal? I’ll humor that thought for just one second. If I don’t, January is not the last launch date. If it’s not meant to be in January, there are many other routes available between August and October of 2016.
Now, that we’ve got that over with, let me ask you, “What if you do?” Well let me tell you what happens if you support me on this mission. You will become part of this mission, and join me in our ministry throughout the world.
What will our ministry look like?
- Spread God’s love to people who may not otherwise ever experience it
- Share hope
- Love on orphans
- Share grace and redemption with young girls sold into human trafficking
- Teach English
- Teach VBS
- Lead sports camps
- Share grace with everyone we come in contact with
- Clean up rundown churches
- Build new churches
- Experience hope
- Experience grace
- Experience redemption
Honestly, I don’t know what ministry will look like in every city, but isn’t that the point? We don’t always know what is to come, but Jesus reminds us that He does in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord.
I don’t know about you, but that’s good enough for me.
So…one last question…
What if you do?
