This post is for those of you we are leaving behind to heed the call God has beckoned to us. This is for all the beautiful friends, family, and strangers who have supported us, believed in us, gave to us, and even those who doubted or discouraged us. The journey we are about to partake is as much for you as it is for us, and in that I want to encourage you that we are also walking with you. We are also praying for you and believing with you for things that have been placed on your heart. We love you and appreciate you because in a way you may not even realize God has used you to help us get this far, and in turn used us to also minister to you.
I do not say this out of pride our conceit, but I have heard from so many in my community how my actions have been an encouragement and a light to see someone of my generation that there is hope for us and for what God is doing in the world. Some racers have heard the opposite, and to that I also see as a good thing because it means we are challenging the status quo and opening new doors for others to follow someday.
To my loved ones, please do not fear or worry for me and my squad. While those feelings are valid, entrust us to God daily. Oppression and hurt will come, but the love poured out on us gives us strength. I think all of us who are going can agree that “thank you” just doesn’t cut it and has lost its luster, but that gratitude has carried us through and helped us see new ways in which God moves through people. Our faith has grown and will continue to grow.
Though I am scared and excited, I am also excited for all of you as this next year God will do some amazing things in your lives as well! You may not be loving on an orphan in Africa, but some of you will be having a child when you were told you couldn’t. You may not be ministering to a prostitute in Thailand, but you are marrying a person to share the rest of you life with to come alongside and encourage. You may not be preaching the gospel in a small mud hut church, but you are a light in the workplace where it desperately needs someone to be an example of love and honesty. That, my dear ones, is just as beautiful, adventurous, and holy. Don’t for a second compare what I’m doing to where you will be while I’m gone.
This coming year is a year of release. A release of God’s immeasurable blessing and love, a release of pain, and a release of people. To my parents, friends, and those who are like family I know it’s been a challenge for you to let me go and not want to be selfish and convince me to stay. Even more mature of you is being loving and totally supportive in any way you could. I am truly humbled and blessed. For those who have doubted, thank you for the challenge to look deeper inside of myself to seek God’s comfort and confirmation.
I know you fear the change that will happen in us, and if our relationships will be the same. I can tell you now they won’t, but they will be better if you let it. We are just as afraid to return and feel out of place. This is one big trust exercise for everyone involved. This is not goodbye though, this is a “I’ll see you soon.” Trust what God is doing in us, but also trust what God is doing in you even if you don’t see it. As we spend our last week with all of you the best thing to do is laugh with us, pray with us, and just be with us. We are learning to let go of so much together, but “God does not withhold any good thing.” (Psalm 84:11)
Believe for change and it will come. Everyone will come out stronger in the end, and the stories we will share together will be that much more sweet. We love you. Catch you on the flip side.
