Today, I handed back the keys to the house that my roommate and I have rented for over a year. I felt like turning those keys in signified that the the decision I made to go on the Race was for real. There have been several moments that have led up to this point for me, and honestly, it’s been a journey.
This afternoon, I met my first future squad-mate, well sort of. She is actually going to be on K-squad, and I am on L-squad, but it’s kind of the same thing. We were talking about our decisions to go, where we are in life right now, etc., and it really made me think. About 6 months ago, I felt that God was telling me something big was coming. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but then one month later, I applied to do the Race. 2 months after that, I had interviewed, been accepted, and sent in a deposit.
Now 3 months later, it feels like the time has passed in a blur! I have finished my Master’s degree at UK, resigned from teaching at one of the best schools on the planet, and have begun this crazy adventure preparing for the race. I’ve spent some time fundraising, and have met my first goal. I have pledges that put me at about halfway, but I’ll still need nearly $8,000 to be fully funded. Please consider praying for me as well as financially supporting me. You can click the “Support Me” link on this page or you can let me know and I’ll be glad to help!
Over the past few months of preparing to leave on the Race, I’ve tried to think of reasons why someone would go do this. Why would someone give up their job, home, time with family and friends just to do something so temporary? Why would someone establish relationships only for a month, then leave? The only logical answer I can come up with is that in an effort to be more like Christ, we must do the things to which He has called us. In a sermon recently, the pastor said, “If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, we want Jesus to be flattered by our imitation of His life and love.” As followers of Christ, we have been called to go, serve, and love. We have been called to tell people about Jesus.
If it’s only for a month for each country on the race, then our serving and loving people will hopefully be a reflection of Christ. The same should also be true for my life as a follower of Christ preparing for the Race. In all I do, I hope that my actions imitate Christ in such a way that He is highly flattered.
