Why the World Race?
I truly believe that the last 8 years of my life's deepest struggles and greatest joys have all been leading up to and preparing my heart for this September–for my role as a World Racer.
I saw my first glimpse of that future as a ninth-grade girl, when I traveled across the border for the first time with my high school on a mission trip to Mexico. I fell in love with the little village and its people, and I first heard God calling me to international ministry at the end of that week, through the children's screams of "Yesseeca, Yesseeca!" that ran alongside our bus as we pulled away to leave. My classmates sat in hushed silence, bewildered by my out-of-character behavior–hands stretched out the back window, face pressed against the glass, sobs shaking my entire body. I was heartbroken to leave the children who lived in poverty yet had taught me something about true joy and true faith that I had never before seen. I was homesick for the mission field even then.
There have been other significant joys and heartaches in the last 8 years– my parents' divorce, the death of my dad, a life-changing breakup; the opportunity to travel, some amazing role models and friendships, and a liberal arts education at a school that emphasizes learning and seeking and citizenship outside of the classroom. (woot woot, Maryville College!) The Lord has given me confirmation after confirmation (even when I wasn't looking for it, or was totally blinded to it) that international ministry would one day become "my church."
I first met Vanessa O'Neal at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camp in Georgia when I was a junior in high school. Vanessa was a counselor, and I was a camper; we both were from Tennessee. Imagine my surprise when I encountered her again years later in the summer before my junior year of college–this time across the country, in Estes Park, Colorado, as we both worked at a Christian family dude ranch for the summer. So when Vanessa first mentioned that she was going on the World Race once she left Wind River Ranch, I was certainly intrigued; but I shouldn't have been so shocked when the Lord put the World Race on my own heart as well a couple of years later. I guess V and I are destined to be kindred spirits… and to be WR's (Winder River and World Racer's) 🙂
So here I am in my last semester of undergrad, and faced with two life-altering questions that my choices will force me to answer one way or another throughout this life : Who will I live to serve? (myself… or God, and thus, other people as well) And, How will I do it? For this season of my life, I'm confident that it's through the World Race. And here's why.
1. I believe that God blesses each of us with specific, individual passions and talents…and it is our responsibility and privilege as disciples to use those gifts to further His Kingdom in creative and unique ways. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
(I've had a professor who has really invested in my future and continually reminded me that not everyone is called to serve in the same way. There is no shame in being called to global service rather than local, or vice versa. There is no shame in serving through the arts over business, or vice versa. Diversity is essential in the Kingdom of God. (Dr. Bill Meyer, if you're reading this, thank you again for constantly supporting me and for teaching me to "listen to my life.")
So what's my life been telling me? As I've sought clues for my vocation over the last four years at Maryville College, I've discovered parts of my heart that I know the Lord has there for a reason. Traveling the world, studying cultures, appreciating the essence of womanhood, storytelling through the visual arts, seeking true beauty, loving the poor and orphaned, seeing and feeling and tasting the mountain air and seas and fields of wildflowers–these are the treasures of my heart, and these passions are perhaps more important than any natural talents and gifts. Writing, photography, film, empathy, discernment, and an uncanny enjoyment of airports and eleven-hour-flights (because come on now, let’s admit, that is a remarkable life skill) –these are the creative talents given to me by God for my unique purpose in His work.
I've had this dream for several years now to one day begin a project of telling the stories of women all over the world who are strong, resilient, beautiful, and full of Grace. I have dreamt (literally, like in REM-cycle sleep) of calling it "Worth Celebrating." Because these women, they are. I am so overjoyed to have the opportunity to begin this vision using the World Race as a platform, as I meet and serve women literally all over the world.
2. I believe it's possible that in order for us to single-mindedly pursue the American Dream, we might have to be literally asleep to the injustices of the world. (Matthew 19:21)
I grew up in a culture that is mega-obsessed with money, status, image, and "things"–even within the Church. And it is so, so empty. Because these things, we don't own them. They own us. In fact, this lifestyle I've been living contradicts the very witness of Christ in his words, his life, and his death and resurrection. The devil wants to bury us alive in all of our "things." My heart is restless for something more. To settle down in the comfort of this culture right now would require my gypsy heart to settle. As Ben Rector sings in his "Song for the Suburbs" : "Don't let the suburbs kill my heart and soul."
More importantly, this world is crying out horrifying shouts of social injustice. The poor, the oppressed, the sick, the orphaned, the widowed, the uneducated, the voiceless, the lost, the violated, the weary, and the weak…they are in need. I have more than I need. I can't ignore that. God says He lives among the"least of these." These material blessings and capabilities He has given me are not truly my own; I am a steward of them. So it would be a tragedy for me to turn a blind eye to a world in need. I must go and I must give.
3. I believe the World Race is the next step in my education. (Proverbs 2:3-5)
I don't want to go back to who I was after I finish the Race. This journey is not just one of serving–it's one of learning. Of seeking, of having my heart broken, of challenging me spiritually and emotionally and socially. Of searching for deeper Truth in the revelation of the world, and allowing it to change me.
"If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or
internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared – most of all -to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself….then truth will not be withheld from you." —Elizabeth Gilbert
4. I must be obedient. (Proverbs 1:33)
I just outlined the reasons that first brought me to see the World Race as a good option. But ultimately, I just had to be obedient to where God was calling me. Anyone who knows me well knows that I tend to create some new harebrained idea every week about what to do with my life. I daydream, I plan, I Google search a lot. But plan after plan has fallen through, or lost its appeal, or my gut/intuition/God has remained unsettled towards it. Prayer and reflection have led me to abandon many of these plans. But have you ever experienced that overwhelming feeling that this is where God wants you to be? I mean the kind where your whole body begins to feel numb and light as air, and you're grinning and tears come to your eyes, and you can just about literally feel the Divine tug? Those moments are hard to forget, but they were questioned– there are significant people in my life who do not want me to go on this journey. Each time I would set about searching the Spirit of the Lord for guidance once again, it would become more and more clear that it was impossible for me to abandon this call. I couldn't do it.
I was at an art gallery one night a few weeks ago after I had just been accepted to the World Race and was still praying for affirmation or denial before I committed. I began talking to a man who was a local physician and had graduated from the same University I attend back in the 1960's. He was asking me my plans for post-graduation, and I mentioned that I was still in prayer about the World Race. The man looked me in the eyes and said, "Wow, that is scary. That is phenomenal." His eyes drifted past me, and I could see the motion picture of his life rewinding back in time before his eyes. His voice was solemn as he told me that he had been offered a similar opportunity the year after he graduated, and he hadn't taken it. "I have always regretted it," he said. I felt the Divine tug in that moment from my fingers to my toes. I drove home that night and gave my official commitment to the World Race. Dr. Marvin, I hope to tell you one day how God spoke to me through you. There is fear, yes–this year will not be an easy one. But mostly, my heart is filled with peace and with joy as I anticipate this next chapter in my personal relationship with my Savior.
xx jessica leigh
