Lately, I have had several conversations with people regarding my trip. After a brief explanation about what I will be doing, I have received several different reactions. One I have heard the most is "You are crazy to do that" This has been said in a light hearted way and also in a very serious way. It has not bothered me, I knew some people would think I was crazy, but God has brought my attention to it. At the mention of finances and the amount of support I need to raise, as well as leaving my career, I have also been met with "That doesn't make sense". To leave the career I went to college for and to work in a grocery store for nine months up till we launch in July doesn't make sense to people. Honestly, at times it doesn't make sense to me. But as I was reflecting on these statements, I felt like God was speaking to me. He was trying to press something into my heart, and so I pressed into Him. I was led to Genesis.
1) Genesis 6-9 Noah and the Ark
It probably didn't make sense when God asked Noah to build an Ark in the middle of the desert to save him, his family, and all the animals from flooding rain. Up until now, rain was never mentioned in the Bible. We have no idea if it had ever actually rained before. Noah may not have even understood what that meant. BUT HE BUILT THE ARK ANYWAY. He may have been surrounded by friends and neighbors while he built this huge boat. They probably laughed at him, they probably thought he was crazy. (Put yourself in their shoes for a minute. If you had never seen rain, wouldn't you think it was a little odd to build a huge boat in the desert?) I would have thought he was crazy. But he chose to believe God instead of all the other people and built the ark and was saved for it. Without his obedience, we may not even be here.
2) Genesis 12 Abram's Call
It probably didn't make sense to Abram when God called him to uproot his entire family from everything they had ever known to go to a land that He would show him, BUT HE WENT ANYWAY. Abram had no sweet clue where he was leading his family. Some of them probably thought that he was crazy to take them away from all they knew and loved, but he chose to obey God and took them into the unknown– and he was blessed because of it.
3) Genesis 21 The Promised Son
It probably didn't make sense to Abraham that he would have a child at the age of 100 or that Sarah would be able to bear him a son at the age of 90, BUT HE CHOSE TO BELIEVE GOD'S PROMISE. I would have thought they were crazy to wait for a child to come at that age. Yet, because of their belief, God gave Sarah a son and Abraham was made the father of many nations.
4) Genesis 22 Abraham Tested
It probably didn't make sense to Abraham when God asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, the one God promised to give him in his old age, the child they had waited a life time for. How could that make sense to anyone? Why would God give them a child, only to take him away and by his fathers hands? YET ABRAHAM STILL WAS WILLING TO DO SO. He believed God for his promises. He knew that God had promised to make him the father of many nations and must have assumed that God would be able to raise the dead and so he obeyed. And he was counted as righteous.
There are several other stories in the Bible of situations where God called people to do things that didn't make sense. YET THEY DID THEM ANYWAY. And do you know what else I realized when I reflected back on these stories. These people are all also mentioned in Hebrews 11, the "faith" chapter of the Bible. All of these people were commended for their faith in God. It was by faith, that they were able to do al these "crazy things that didn't make sense". And they were later celebrated for it! Could you imagine what would have happened if Noah decided he didn't feel like being the "town crazy" and building a boat? Or what would have taken place if Abram decided to take on a "he rather liked where he was currently living, thanks all the same God" kind of attitude? Praise the Lord for the faith of these men!!!
And so going back to my trip. Looking at it through the world's eyes, no it does not make sense to be working in a grocery store when I have a degree in the medical field. No it does not make sense to leave all I know and love to go into the unknown. It does not make sense to leave when I have no money for myself.
THIS TRIP DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!!!!
Yet still I go.
You may think I'm crazy. But no, I'm just crazy about Jesus. I have no idea where I will be going, what I will be doing, what I will encounter, or honestly if I will even come back. But I do know one thing: we are called to do things that don't make sense to this world. I don't know about you, but I want to be counted amongst those who had faith to do what God told them to, no matter what anyone else thinks or says.
I want to go, and so I go.
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Would you consider partnering with me to sow seeds into the Kingdom?
I am currently at $4,147.76 for my World Race support. Praise the Lord for His provision. Thank you to all who have donated! I really appreciate all your love and support! With your help, this trip is becoming possible! My goal is to be at $6,500.00 before my 25th birthday, which is May 13th. Only $2353.24 to go to meet that goal! I ask that you would prayerfully consider coming alongside me to help further God's kingdom and make a difference in the world. You can donate by clicking the "support me" link on the left-hand side of this blog. Thank you so much! And rest assured I am praying for you!
Grace and peace,
Kayla
