“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8
The Calling: February 22, 2015
I had just returned to Knoxville after a great week at home with my family. I climbed in bed, turned on my computer, and started searching for graduation invitations. That’s when I saw it – “___ will be going on the World Race after graduation.” I was intrigued, I had to know what this “World Race” was all about. I explored the website, watched videos, and read blogs – I cried and I prayed to God because never before in my life had I felt a calling on my heart this strong.
All I could think was “Lord, are you calling me to go on the World Race? Is this your will?”
I asked God for a sign. I said I “God, if this is your will just give me a sign, show me that this is what you are calling me to do.” The next morning I was ready to leave for school almost 20 minutes early (I am never early), so I got out my Bible and started reading. I turned to a page with a little devotion titled “Have Faith!” I was intrigued, so I kept reading –
“Do you let your fears keep you from doing God’s will? Maybe God calls you to…take a mission trip to another country? Immediately, the what-if’s plague your mind: What if I can’t raise enough money to go overseas? Somehow it doesn’t matter that God has called you or that he’s faithful to help you accomplish your calling. In your heart, your fear trumps God’s faithfulness…God is true to his word. His promises never fail. Our human minds are limited. We can’t understand how God’s going to work everything out. His ways are not our ways. But if we truly trust Him, we can follow him with confidence. Are your fears keeping you from trusting God?”
WOW. Even I couldn’t deny it – that was God.
In the days following, signs kept coming – from His word and the words of others – so I decided to apply (a process that consists of an application, online interview, and phone interview).
For the next two and a half weeks I felt like I was in constant prayer, praying to God the only thing I knew to say with the conviction of His calling so strong on my heart – “Here I am Lord. Send me.”
As I waited for my decision call, I told the Lord,
If I get rejected, I will know that this is not your will and you have a different plan for me.
If I get accepted, I will know that this is your will and I will go.
The Conformation: March 12, 2015
As I was driving down the road with my family on March 12 Jesus confirmed His plans for the next year of my life – I got the call saying I was accepted for the World Race, January 2016, Route 3.
So, just as I promised the Lord, I AM GOING ON THE WORLD RACE!
With that being said, I am still processing the fact that this calling God placed in my heart is now becoming a reality. The past month has been a slew of emotions – excitement, fear, happiness, sadness – and the idea that in just 9 months I will be leaving the country to travel around the world for 11 months has not completely sunk in yet.
But, THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.
Is it crazy? Absolutely.
Will it be easy? No way.
Will I miss my family? Undoubtedly.
Will I want to come home? Probably.
Will I be dirty, sweaty, and tired? Definitely.
Will I be uncomfortable? More often than not.
HOWEVER,
Will it be life changing? Completely.
Will it be rewarding? In many ways.
Will I be following the Lord’s call? Yes. Yes. Yes.
So, with all of that being said,
God has called me to go on the World Race and I am going.
Ask yourself, how is God calling you to serve Him?
Will you say yes?
