When I was 5 I was asked “What are you going to be when you grow up?” My answer was “I’m going to be a lawyer and dolphin trainer and ride to work on my horse.”
When I was 8 I was asked “What are you going to be when you grow up?” My answer was “I’m going to be a doctor or nurse.”
When I was 13 I was asked “What are you going to be when you grow up?” My answer was “I’m going to be an athletic trainer.”
Throughout college I was asked “What are you majoring in and what do you plan to do with your degree?” My answer was “I’m majoring in Sports Medicine, but I want to be a college swim coach.”
As graduation neared I was asked “What job will you be working when you graduate?” My answer was “I will be head coaching a Summer league swim team in Gibsonville.”
And over the last year since I graduated I have been asked “What job field are you in/where do you work?” and my answer has been changed several times as my jobs have changed.
Now that I am going on this missions trip I have been asked “What are you going to do when you get back?” And I don’t have a solid answer as to what that is going to be yet, but I have given it to God.
In this past week I have had this same conversation with my mom. As I presented some things that I am looking into pursuing related to missions our conversation went to how to prepare for that in studying the Word of God.
In this conversation, I was able to learn about BBN radio and how they have a Bible Institute that offers free enrollment and free courses. Through this institute you can go at your own pace, learn more about God and what the Bible says, how to share the Gospel and earn certificates.
After doing some research, I enrolled and have already completed two courses! It has been phenomenal thus far and I would recommend this Bible Institute to anyone looking to further their knowledge of God’s Word. There are over 100 courses available and you don’t have to go through a certain order, you can pick which ones you want to do.
A couple of nights ago I messaged a future racer who launches in January of this upcoming year. Our conversation started out with our excitement for training camp and this opportunity before us. But it quickly turned into what God was doing in our lives, how we were growing, how our plans had drastically changed, how we could be praying for each other and just amazing truth! It was a much needed and encouraging conversation that God used to work in my heart.
One of the things I’ve realized recently is how I have boxes in my life that I do not want to be opened or addressed by God. Through this conversation the statement was made that rang with amazing truth. “I’ve found that in opening these boxes, God not only brings much needed change and transformation to my life and heart but even greater healing.” I could not agree with this more. The greatest healing happens in our lives when we allow God to be a part of ALL of our lives.
That night, something that I had not thought of was brought to my attention in our conversation. My friend shared about learning to not obsess over planning your future and to let go, follow God and let Him lead. Because I have/had also struggled with obsessing over the future I realized how hard it is (I think especially for Americans) to let God lead our lives. From the time we are born we are told to plan and that those who don’t will be unsuccessful. We are asked over and over again by so many people (like above) “What are you going to be when you grow up?” and the key emphasis here is on what WE think we will be. Our culture says that we should be self-sufficient and so we plan our future. God tells us to be reliant on Him and let Him lead us. Our culture tells us to have 5 and 10 year plans. God tells us to trust Him with everything. Our culture’s push on self-reliance causes us to lack trust in God and that He will provide and sustain us.
Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that we shouldn’t plan or have goals. There’s a saying “Those who don’t have goals aim at nothing and hit it every time” and it’s true. But we need to trust God in everything and let Him lead us to those goals and plans.
So when that question gets brought up “What are you going to do when you get back?” My answer is “I’m going to continue to trust God. That He will sustain me, provide for me and lead me where He wants me to serve Him.”
My friend is currently reading Radical by David Platt. It’s been a couple years since I have read that book, but last Fall I read Follow Me. Both books are phenomenal and provide such great truth. The word radical is exactly the word I would use to describe the change God demands of us. This demand, this change is RADICAL and impossible to do without Him. We are to completely transform our life to reflect Christ’s and it is not possible to do this on our own. Only through Christ’s work and His strength, can radical change be made. To quote my friend, “Our primary goal should be growing in Christ and living a life reflective of our love for Him. Being steadfast in that, He can use us for whatever He chooses.”
After I was accepted into the World Race, God taught me a lot about sharing my faith and being bold for Him. Before I had put God and church in it’s box and I figured that I would only share with others if they asked me about it first. But God gave me the courage to talk to total strangers and my co-workers about my faith and what He is doing in my life. God has taught me humility and that it is more than just serving others and not boasting in ourselves but completely trusting and relying on Him. He has been placing missions on my heart so strongly these last 3 months that I have been looking into opportunities in these areas for when I get back next year. However, I trust that God will sustain me and will lead me, and I pray as these opportunities arise that God will give me the wisdom to know where He wants me. One thing is certain though, my desire to share the Gospel with others will not end with my World Race next August.
So my question for you… Will you allow God to lead your life and sustain you in every way?
I want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement! If you are praying for me, here are 2 things that I (and my squad) would appreciate prayers on right now.
1. Currently, my squad is coming up on our first official deadline and many of them have not yet met it. Please be in prayer for us to continue to be faithful and trust God’s provision.
2. Pray for these next 7 weeks as we prepare for training camp. That our hearts would be in the right place and that God would continue to work in us. It has been amazing to see God working in their lives in these past 10 weeks just as much as it has been great to see God working and providing for my own.
Till Next Time,
Kara Faber
– As July approaches I am announcing my July goal of raising $2500. If 100 people gave $25 I would be able to meet that goal. Please consider joining my team and letting God work through you in this way
– If you live in Roanoke, VA I will be holding a car wash on July 23rd to raise money. Stay tuned for the location 🙂
– If you like Pampered Chef products, I am currently doing a pampered chef fundraiser. Tomorrow (June 28th) is the last day to place an order and you can do that online here
