One year ago I committed to the World Race and I was so excited for what this year would hold and all the ways I would get to serve the Lord. (And lets be real I was also very excited for the traveling; I am the owner of a wandering soul.) However, this summer the thought of actually leaving hit me. Hard. I saw the great need right outside my front door and I was so confused about why I was being called across oceans when God could continue to use me right here.
My rebel heart starting telling me to stay.
God kept telling me to go.
When I came face to face with the reality of leaving my eyes were opened to how much my heart longs to love the people of West Virginia. I began trying so hard to discredit the voice telling me to go and leaning into my own will. For weeks I lived in the middle of my own spiritual warfare. I fought hard against myself and I fought even harder against God. I tried to justify the reasons why I couldn’t go, why I thought had to stay.
I kept stumbling across verses reminding me how great his plans were (Jeremiah 29:11), the magnificent things that he would show me (John 1:50), the good that he has planned for me (Romans 8:28), how nothing could thwart His plans (Job 42:2). While I was reading over these, two words kept coming to mind: trust and obedience. I knew that He was reminding me of his promises of the good things he has in store for me, but I had to trust him. I had to obey his will. I had to humble my rebel heart.
In two and half weeks I am going to put this trust to the test and board a plane to South America. I already know that it is going to be so hard to leave, to say goodbye, to trust completely, and to be obedient. My heart is breaking for all the people and events that I will miss during the 11 months I am gone, but I have seen a glimpse of what the Lord has waiting for me and I know that it is going to be good. So good.
I am ready to see all that the Lord has for me this year. I am excited to learn, to grow, to serve, and to love. I am so excited to share all of those experiences with you on this blog and I can’t wait to bring home everything that I will learn.
