I've been finding it difficult to succinctly explain WHY I feel compelled to go on the World Race.
The reasons are truly very numerous – to learn to be less self-focused and more of a servant; to begin a vocational pursuit of working against international poverty; to learn from and love the world's poor; to follow Jesus's example as a poor-loving nomad; to share the Good News of Christ; because God is so clearly calling me…
However, I thought this passage from Isaiah 61 may more clearly explain my heart for this mission. The passage is actually prophetic foreshadowing to the Messiah Jesus, but I also believe it applies to the work His church was intended to do on earth.
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Year of the Lord's Favor"/"The Spirit of God is Upon Me"/"The Good News of Salvation"
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
I deeply desire for brokenness to be healed, to know people are being set free, to see chains and bounds be loosened, to share the comfort of the Lord. I want people's burdens to be light, their joy to be real and deep, and their hope to be unwavering and everlasting. I want others to know the joy and fullness I know from knowing Christ. I want others to have it better tomorrow than they did yesterday, and I want them to have a better eternity than their earthly life. I want Jesus's kingdom to come now; I want His love to overwhelm the earth. I want to be His tool and a part of His work.
My Father's business is that of renewed, abundant life; second chances; and restoration – I want to be about my Father's business.
I want to celebrate the truth of Isaiah 61 (v.10,11):
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
