It’s amazing to see how God has placed little things about the World Race throughout my spiritual journey.
When I was 14, one of my good friends from church talked about doing the World Race. As a freshman in high school I began looking into the trip and daydreaming about traveling across the world. What I viewed then as a glamorous adventure, I now often flip between excitement and fear. Wrapping up my senior year in college, all I can think is ‘God, are you really calling me to this?’ And his answer is “yes.”
Coming back from a picture perfect summer in Boston, MA, I returned to school with my eyes fixed on my dream career and hopes that God would call me back to Boston. That first week of school, I was at a worship service and felt the Lord put “mission field” on my heart. Seeing how that did not go along with “my plans” (I now laugh at that), I quickly pushed that thought aside.
A few weeks later, my dad asked if I still wanted to do the World Race. Considering I hadn’t brought up the World Race since I was 14, I was a little taken back by how out-no-where his question seemed. That night, I got online and started combing through different routes, blogs and videos. When I found August 2018 Route 1, I came to tears. Tears, not out of sadness, but from an overwhelming sense of the Holy Spirit. Feeling that undeniable presence of God, I went to pray and asked that question, “God, is this really what you want for me?” And in a reply with a gentleness and sweetness that is only from our Father in Heaven, he told me,”You have no idea what I’m going to show you.”
So, here I am, saying yes.
The thing is…I love my family. I love my career goals. I love my sleeping in my own bed. I love showers. I love being home for the holidays. These are the earthly, American comforts that keep me from fully getting behind what I know the Lord is calling me to.
However, I’m reminded of when Jesus spoke of the “deceitful of wealth” and C.S. Lewis’ quote about how “we are far to easily pleased.”
What I have to remind myself is that when I’ve been overseas on mission, working for ministries or serving in Boston, I was whole – completely in my element as I lived as Christ commanded us. What God keeps reminding me is that abundant life has never been found in self-centeredness. The idea that autonomy isn’t life-giving is counter to human nature. The divine truth is that life is found in Christ and serving as he served.
As I prepare for the World Race, I remember that Jesus came to give life and give it abundantly. Even though I know this journey will have many trials, I know, because of God’s promises, that they will never outweigh the glory and honor he will receive.
So here we go! Thank you for your prayer and/or financial support as I go!
