(Before you read this post please watch this short video explaining more about the World Race. It will help you to better understand the Race and my reasons for going.)
Exactly one month ago today I found out that I had been accepted to the World Race. As I have explained this opportunity that God has given me to countless people over the past month, I have received many different reactions and lots of questions (blog post to come in the future) – yet, they all seem to boil down to one idea – Why?
So, here are your answers to “Why the World Race?”
1) God has called me to the World Race.
The World Race will be my first mission trip, so when I told my mom I was interested in going on an 11 month mission trip, it was only logical for her to ask if I was sure I didn’t want to go on a short-term mission trip first.
My answer – No, I was sure.
I had looked into various short-term mission trips before, but I never felt God calling me to go. I would look into it, make an excuse as to why I couldn’t/didn’t want to go, and would forget about it in a few days.
But the World Race was different.
From the very first night that I happened across the World Race, God was there. Every thought of every day was consumed by the Race. Instead of saying “God, if you want me to go I will,” I pleaded with Him, “Please send me, I want to go. I want to serve you.”
(Read When Jesus Calls to learn more about how God called me to the World Race.)
2) There are people out there that have never even heard of God.
As I was reading through blogs of current racers, I came across this:
“What in my life is more important than the thousands, if not more, people who die every day and don’t know Jesus as their Savior? Most of whom, how never even heard His name! I came to a conclusion: Nothing, not even my own life…Yes the cost of going is risky, but as David Platt said, the cost of not going is even risker. Not for me, but for the billions of unsaved people in the world. That is why I am going.”
EXACTLY. I am going because there are people in this world who don’t know about Jesus and there is nothing more important than sharing His love and saving grace with those that need Him most.
3) I long for a deeper relationship with Jesus and I want Him to change me into who He created me to be.
One of the unique things about the World Race is that it is not only a mission trip, but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. In other words, the World Race is not as much of a trip as it is a start to a life-long journey.
One of my favorite parts of the “More than a Mission Trip” video (embedded above) is the statement, “The World Race is an opportunity to come and find out who God is calling you to be.”
I am going on the Race because I want God to change me. I want God to show me who I am in Him, without all the distractions and comforts of life here at home. I want to learn to depend solely on Him and trust His plans more than my own.
4) Why not?
For the first (and probably only) time in my life, I have the chance to give 11 months of my life solely to Christ. I don’t have any excuses – I’m about to graduate, I haven’t started my career, and I don’t have a “family” (meaning a husband or kids). I have nothing holding me back.
So how can I say “No” to God?
I can’t. I have to go. I want to go.
With all of that being said, I think any mission trip/work/opportunity to serve Christ is incredible. The circumstances don’t matter – whether it’s a week or a year, here at home or overseas – what matters is that you follow what God is calling you to do.
I have 11 months to give and that is what God has called me to do.
What do you have to give? Prayer, money, time. Are you willing to give that to God?
I’ll leave you with part of this song, “Called Me Higher” by All Sons & Daughters:
“I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again
…
And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down
…
But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord”
