Many of you now know what The World Race is. You’ve read the blogs, talked with people who are going, talked with people who have already gone, and maybe even experienced some of it yourself. I am going to write what The World Race is not, because many people I’ve talked with about The World Race have asked about a few of these aspects.
1.) The World Race is not just a social justice project/campaign. While yes, we will be providing many services that people in The Peace Corps and other NGOs/Non-profits, we will be first and foremost be sharing The Gospel to those who are perishing (literally and spiritually). This is important to understand. While many people around the world, of many different religious backgrounds, have a passion for helping the poor, oppressed, hungry, trafficked, and orphaned around the world, they are often only meeting physical needs. These people need the food, clothes, water, housing, and justice, but they ultimately need the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission (which is a command), says this: “Go 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 obey all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).” Our ultimate goal on The World Race is to make disciples, through evangelism and service.
2.) The World Race is not a vacation. While yes, I realize that I will probably observe beautiful sights, try amazing and strange new foods, ride on elephants, climb mountains…etc., the majority of my time on The World Race will be spent in service to the needy. It will be spent cuddling orphans who rarely receive attention and care. It will be spent cleaning up after elderly or sick patients in local clinics. It will be spent building churches, houses, or schools. It will be spent teaching children (or adults) English. It will be spent sleeping in huts and hostels. It is NOT a luxurious trip by no means. However, would I have it any other way? No. 🙂 I am beyond excited to be dying to myself every single day, because that is what the Christ Life is about and that is how we become more like Jesus.
3.) The World Race is not about me. This one is the most important point for me to remember. I have this human tendency (don’t we all) to be selfish, prideful, judgmental, fearful, irritable, and anything else associated with the flesh. However, the Lord and His saving power rescued me from my sin and has redeemed me, called me holy, and is always sanctifying and refining me. I can only be insufficiently thankful and surrender my life, my dreams, my hopes, my expectations, my desires, my future, my past, and anything He has given to me, including The World Race, to Him. He is the Father of Lights who gives good gifts. If everything I have, including my very breath, comes from Him, why would I not give it all back and worship Him? The World Race may be my most refining 11 months yet (though I’ve had some very challenging times thus far). He must increase, I must decrease. He is my only hope.
My comfort is this: He is with me wherever I go, as He promises in His Word.
For the Glory of God, and by the Grace of God, go I.
