Confession: I am so scared of fundraising. Probably more scared than I am of leaving the country or living out of a backpack. The idea of asking friends, family, strangers for money absolutely terrifies me. The thought of having to come up with $16,000 to fund my mission trip to 11 countries in 11 months completely overwhelms me.
As I pondered over the decision of whether or not I would commit to The World Race, I kept going back to the money. Every time, my mental dialogue was the same – “there’s no way.” I was stuck on this thought when I opened my Bible one night. I was discouraged and ready to write off the whole trip as too much, too big, too outlandish.
The first page I flipped to was 2 Kings 4:1-7. There was a devotional section titled Simple Trust. If you aren’t familiar with the story, it goes like this: A widow cries to Elisha for help. Her husband is dead and now her sons will be taken as slaves to pay his debts. Elisha asks what she has in her house. Nothing, she tells him, except for a small jar of olive oil. He tells her to ask her neighbors for empty jars – and not just a few. Then to go into her house and shut the door and start pouring. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is full put it to the side. She did as she was told. She didn’t tell him she didn’t have enough oil to fill one jar, let alone many. She didn’t question why she would do such a silly thing. She simply followed instructions. After all the jars were full, the oil stopped flowing. She sold the oil and paid her debts, with enough money left over for her and her sons to live off of.
As I wrestled with my decision, I realized that any reason I could ever think of to not follow God’s lead in my life and commit to this trip comes down to one statement: it’s not enough. Money, time, courage, fundraising skill.
And then it hits me – how dare I? How could I possibly make the call that what I have isn’t enough when I have a God who fed thousands with a few loaves of bread. A God who conquered a giant with pebbles. A God who secured a hopeless widow’s entire future with a little, half-full jar of olive oil.
I have a God who has promised me the best life I could possibly lead if I just trust Him. With the same simple trust that let the widow do as she was told without worrying. God took what she had and made it enough and He will do the same for me if I will just let Him.
When we have Christ, we always have enough.
Please pray for me as I start this fundraising journey, friends. Pray that my faith will stay strong and support for this trip will come through. If you feel led to, please donate to my trip by clicking on the “Support Me” button right over there. Any little bit will help.
thanks and stay groovy
-Jenn
