Welcome welcome welcome to my very first blog!! I’ve been staring at this screen for a while now. Typing and deleting, typing and deleting. I have so many thoughts, so many emotions, so many fears. So just bear with me guys. Here is my story, my heart cry, and the beginning of a wild wild journey with Jesus.
How did I get here?
I guess it all started my freshman year of college. It was the first time I had ever heard of the World Race. I did a lot of research, blog reading, Instagram creeping, and Youtube watching (as one normally does right?). The thought of packing up my life and embarking on a journey to proclaim the gospel around the world sounded beautiful, whimsical, and exhilarating. But it wasn’t long until I snapped back into reality. I had just started my first year of college, was in the process of training to become a Young Life leader, and was finally starting to feel at home here in Oxford, Mississippi. Life was sweet and I was comfortable.
Fast forward to spring break of sophomore year. I was in Matamoros, Mexico with about 50 college students from my church. The theme of the week was “the whole church takes the whole gospel to the whole world”. Each day we dug deeper into the calling of the Great Commission. Why 2,000 years later have we not yet fulfilled this task? Where have we fallen short? If we are all called to play a role in The Great Commission, what is mine? I left that week stirred. Suddenly there was a deeper meaning to my life and the thought of continuing to go through the motions had no appeal. Like every other believer, I had been called up and called out. But where was my place in this task? As a student at Ole Miss? As a Young Life leader at Oxford High School? As friend to the lost and the broken? As a member of my church? Across the world? I believe the answer to the question is all of these things. Where my feet are currently planted is where the Lord wants me to be a good steward of His story. But the more I prayed for clarity in where He wanted me, I heard an unmistakable, concrete “GO.”
Okay God. I hear you. Where am I going? The World Race popped up over and over again. I fell in love with the thought of it. Then I fought it. I felt the tug. Then I fought it. Is this where you’re calling me, or is this my own desires? “GO.” But God, I’m so content and comfortable.
When did He ever ask me to be comfortable.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” John 16:16
All of these words: chose, appointed, go, fruit, abide, ask, give.
This is my truth. I am chosen. I have been appointed. I am commanded to bear fruit. He allows me to abide in Him. What I ask in Jesus’ name, He will give me – divine assistance in whatever He leads me to.
Knowing His truth, His heart for me, His character, His promises, it changes everything. No longer can I allow myself to sit back idly and simply go through the motions. No longer will I drown out His commands with my own fears and doubts. No longer do I find peace in my own comfortable plans. He said “GO.”
So I am.
So what is the World Race?
The World Race is an 11 country, 11 month mission trip to share the love of Jesus and serve others around the world. The World Race is a stretching journey to serve the least of these. It’s 11 months devoted to abandoning worldly possessions and traditional lifestyles in exchange for an understanding that it’s all about the Kingdom. Next June I will pack up, live out of a backpack, and head out to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Morocco, Ethiopia, Djibouti, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. And holy smokes, I am SO stinkin’ excited/anxious/overwhelmed with joy about it all.
My prayer is that you would decide to join me in this. Prayers, hugs, conversations, donations, encouragement – I need it all!!! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to hear me out. I appreciate you.
With all the love in my heart,
-Kels
