We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. I certainly never would have imagined that I would ever participate in something like The World Race but there has been a mosaic of events that led me here to set out on this wonderful adventure. Here is my story…
Christ, Jesus
It has been 7 years since I experienced, by the grace of God, the enlightenment that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. It’s so interesting to me that I will be embarking on this missional journey because looking back I remember that for the first year of my walk I felt apprehensive speaking about Jesus or even saying his name. Growing up I never really went to church or knew much about God, but in the first 18 years of my life God was constantly revealing Himself to me.
A few of those instances:
- I attended Vacation Bible School with my friend Courtney. I was maybe 10, and it was pretty much the first time I really took notice of the Bible. I remember the teacher asking us to turn to a verse and thinking I couldn’t find that weird page number she had called out.
- I started attending Fellowship of Christian Athletes in middle school because, well, I was an athlete and all my friends went. I am surely a testament that some/most people need to hear the Gospel more than once because I can only imagine how many times I heard it from 6th to 8th grade and pretty much dismissed it as having any relevance to my life.
- In high school I was pretty much focused on two things: being the best soccer player I could be and getting the best grades I could get. It was a time of self-preservation, self-reliance, and prideful perseverance. Athletics and studies are certainly not bad things in and of themselves but God put those things in my life so that I would realize that, as idols, they could be destroyed. This led to a realization that He was the one true God and that in order to have a relationship with Him I needed to put my hope in Jesus Christ.
I initially found out about the World Race in 2006 after returning from a post-graduation backpacking trip around Europe. Although growing up I had always had a small amount of interest in travel and adventure, it was there in Europe that I learned to love international travel. Certainly, that was for 1 MONTH in EUROPE and The World Race will be a completely different experience, but God used that trip to show me that I wanted to leave, and give up all that I have for Him. In a combination of looking at the world and the Word together I came to the understanding that I was to GO!
So, you may be wondering, if I found out about The World Race in 2006 why am I just now leaving? Well, the short answer is fear and selfishness, and that God had a lot to teach me, so, I think it was a good idea He had me wait awhile. From my experience it is also a good idea to surround yourself with encouraging friends and people that love missions if you have even an inkling of a calling. They will keep you accountable to what God has placed on your life. Since 2006 I have been able to befriend people that were missionally minded, meet a few past racers, and discuss the opportunity with friends who only confirmed that this is what I am supposed to be doing.
I love that knowing and loving God more fully is a process. As justification through Jesus Christ allows us to have a relationship with God, sanctification allows us to more wholly understand Him, to be redeemed by Him, and to be continually ruined for anything but Him. I think in the last three years I have been more broken, stretched, and challenged to give my heart fully to God than in the whole time that I have known Jesus. I’m looking forward to this trip because I have never felt a real pull for a particular country or people, and The World Race will allow me to go where I am most needed, to be all things to many people, and to rely solely on God’s power to love those I meet.
Eager for something new
I have enjoyed living in Dallas and love being with my friends and family, but I know something new has been on the horizon for some time, and I want to put more effort towards living above the sun. I want to do something a little unconventional and AIM posits The World Race as a time for adventure, ministry, community, self-discovery and growth. I am SURE it will be a challenging and rewarding year.
Directed
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
