I’m still a little in shock that this is happening. I’m going on the World Race! For the last year, I have had a strong interest and pull towards the race. As great of an interest I had, I didn’t see it as something practical, or sensible, or even cost effective. For the last 5 years, I have worked as a registered nurse caring for children with disabilities.I loved it, but also couldn’t escape the deep gnawing that there is more. More to see. More of Him to know and to experience.
Already God has been taking me on a journey to trust Him in a different way. Last summer, I felt His leading to move to Tijuana, Mexico- so I did! I have been in Tijuana for the last 3 months helping my friends in their ministry to children in the foster care system. Again, as much I loved it, my mind kept wandering to the race. I figured I would apply to gain further direction. After waiting a few (long) weeks to hear back their response, I was delighted to learn that I was accepted! The last step was for me to “accept back” and confirm my decision. (ahhhhh!)
Of course I wanted to take some time to pray before I made the final commitment. The World Race wanted a response ideally within 2 weeks. After 1 week, I didn’t have any further direction than I did before, which left me feeling a little uneasy and pressured knowing that they wanted a response in the upcoming week.
By Sunday, I was hoping God would reveal an answer for me- and He did! I have been slowly learning Spanish and have been attending a local Spanish-speaking church. During the service, the verse Matthew 6:33 was projected on the screen in Spanish. As I sat there trying to translate the words, I knew I recognized the verse but wasn’t quite getting it. I kept repeating it, until I figured out the last part, “and all these things shall be added unto you” and instantly the first part of the verse hit me. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” I knew. I knew that was my answer. That was the answer to every reservation that I had regarding the World Race. “Yea, but, it costs a lot of money.” Yea, but a year is long time to take off from work.” Yea, but I’m a little older.” “Yea, but…” the list could go on. But God’s answer to me was, “Seek first the Kingdom”.
Interestingly enough, when I went back to read the context of Matthew 6:33, Jesus spoke those words in response to worrying about the basic needs of life:
25“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
God’s so great like that. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
