I just did something crazy.
I kind of feel like Rapunzel right after she steps out of her tower for the first time ever. After a beautiful song with twirling and birds flying and happiness, there’s suddenly a feeling of dread.
Sometimes God asks you to jump out a window for the first time and explore the world He calls you to, and you do it, you jump in faith with perfect Disney music playing in the background and after a good frolick and pat on the back, that’s when the enemy comes to play.
“You shouldn’t have done that. You’ll regret it. You’re making a mistake. You’re wasting your money. It would just be safer to stay.” Yadda yadda yadda… And you can start to believe it, but once you adjust your eyes back to Him, you are at ease again, and full of joy, and that’s when the enemy strikes again. I haven’t seen a better representation of what it looks like to be a Christian than that scene where Rapunzel is going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth about her decision to step out of her tower.
I bet you’re wondering what I did exactly, or what God asked me to do. Well I stepped out of my tower.
So I’m back from an 11 month journey around the world. Been in the States for 2 weeks, but for 2 months God has put something on my heart. This thing, though, this jump out my tower is financially impossible.
I’m not so good with the money thing. Want proof? I’m 24 and currently living under my parents roof and still to this day have never budgeted anything because I start to have anxiety attacks. This is a true statement. ANYWAYS. I don’t know a lot about money but I DO know that you’re supposed to save it for your future.
What happens if God asks you to jump out your tower and take a leap of faith and spend it all? Huh? What happens then? What happens when God asks you to give it to Him and LEAP?!
ALSO, what happens if that leap is actually more expensive than the money you actually have in your bank account. Yeah riddle me THAT one.
Alright alright, enough stalling. I’m actually proud of you for reading this far. Bravo. Are you still wondering what my big leap of faith is?
Well…
I’m coming to see you!
I just booked a flight across country, watched the money I was going to use to save and buy a car dwindle, and did a little dance. Then got on my knees and freaked out, then danced again, then paced in worry, then danced again… you get the picture. I’m Rapunzel who just jumped out of her tower.
Here’s the thing. Let’s get real.
I’m on the east coast right now cause my parents moved while I was gone and they took all my stuff here. God has asked me to live here for a season, but I can’t start that season without heading back to the west coast to see my people. I have maybe a dozen or so people here on the east coast (all family and extended family) and hundreds on the west coast.
A year ago you helped me raise almost $20,000 to chase Jesus around the world. You gave of your time, your talents, your things, and your money for me to do such a thing. You believed in me. You saw the good that could be done and you did something about it. You donated your hard earned money, you came to my fundraisers, you encouraged me and prayed for me and so much more. This year, this time on the mission field could not have been possible without you, and I just want to look you in the eye and say thank you.
I want to come to your house, tell you what God did, pray with and for you, and truly thank you for being a vessel to work in His kingdom. SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED and I’m still trying to figure out how to communicate it all, but I want to come to you and tell the stories of His goodness!
AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN LOLOLOLOL
Two months ago I drew 4 west coast states in my prayer journal with cities all along thone states of places I felt the Lord wanted/needed me to visit. I then wrote name after name after name of my treasured people who live in those cities. I also looked at my bank account at that time and shrugged saying “God will provide if He wants me to do it!”
Two months have gone by and still nothing. You know I’m realizing what LEAP OF FAITH actually means. I still think God is going to provide! But He’s going to do it in His own schnazzy way.
SO. I’m flying out in faith. I have maybe the first 3 days planned and then NOTHING. No idea which way to go, no plans of how to get there. I might run out of money! Does this seem stupid?! YES I KNOW I’VE GONE THROUGH ALL THESE THINGS IN MY HEAD.
The big God dream is an “ATL” west coast trip. I’m calling it “The Thank You Tour With Jesus.” Now remember back last spring when I spent 2 “ATL” months in Nepal and Malaysia? ATL means “Ask The Lord” where we did not make any plans for ministry or lodging and flew into the country, and prayed about where God wanted us to go.
And the big screaming theme of re-entry these past two weeks has been learning to take what I learned on the race and apply it to my life in the States. Well oh my good golly gosh it’s happening. If God can do all the crazy things He did in Nepal and Malaysia and all over the world, He’s going to do it in the United States of America with some crazy almost broke 24 year old with some Rapunzel-like spirit in her heart (for those of you who haven’t seen the movie: after the freak out she goes on with her trip anyways and there’s adventure and goodness and eventually she realizes her identity as the daughter of the King).
I’m coming for you friends! Coming to shake your hands and kiss your babies and tell you stories and POSSIBLY crash on your couch if you’ll let me! I’ll travel by plane, bus, train, Uber, and I know God’s going to continue to use me like He did for the past 11 months. There’s probably even a few strangers He wants me to “stumble upon” and love and I’m stoked for it!
I know God has done some amazing things or hard things or impossible things in your life this year and I want to hear about it. And NOT over FaceTime or Facebook. I know that some of my blogs have helped or encouraged you and I want to hear about it. I know some of you need a break and I’d love to babysit your kids for you. I know some of you might be in a tough season and I just wanna hug you. Or you might just miss me and want to have a crazy dance party with me and we will do it! Let’s do it!
PSA: I’M NOT FUNDRAISING! If God moves you to give, cool, but I’m trusting God with this one. Perhaps He will use you in this grand adventure to help (don’t know how else, but He is a God of many wonders) but for right now…
You can pay me in tacos. 😉
I’ll see you soon folks.
California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, you are my World Race Month 12. If you’re in those States, shoot me a message and let’s hang!
LITERALLY ALL MY LOVE CAUSE I’M GOING OFFICIALLY BROKE AFTER DIS WOOO,
Jamilyn Joy
