What’s your “why” for the World Race?
A few days ago, I was taken off-guard when my mom asked me this question because I realized I didn’t know the answer, or at least didn’t know how to verbalize it. I’ve tried many times to put words to it, but it’s like God has put my words on hold…until today. God gave me the answer this morning through His word:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all out affliction so that we will be able
to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance,
so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
This is my desire, to be the hands and feet of God’s comfort to those He will set in my path, and to find my own comfort in God through it all. And, at least for now, I understand God to be asking me to go out into these different countries to be available to the individuals that He will place in my path. I know it won’t be easy, but even in Him filling me up, it is so that He overflows into the lives of those around me. It’s the perfect picture of His strength through my weakness…through my need to be refilled, He will pour into others.
“But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation;
or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which is effective in the patient enduring of the
same sufferings which we also suffer;
and our hope for you is firmly grounded,
knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings,
so also you are sharers of our comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:6-7
When I am comforted, it is for the comfort of others. That is true, even as I am preparing for this journey! Every time He reassures me that He’s got it, I encounter someone who is in need of being reassured of the same. It’s also true of others for me. God has already used so many people to minister to me, and people’s prayers have been evident in my life. I know this will continue to be true, even in the hardest times, even in the face of danger, even in the face of rejection.
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren,
of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively,
beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves
so that we would not trust in ourselves,
but in God who raises the dead;
who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us,
He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
you also joining in helping us through your prayers,
so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf
for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
I know this will be one of the most challenging (if not the most) years of my life, but I cannot help but be on the very edge of my seat, so excited to see how God is going to shine He glory through the darkest circumstances. I want to be moved by compassion instead of judgement, to have the eyes of God and see those who are hurting and share in their suffering instead of judging them for how they got there. My God is BIG, and I am more than willing to be used by Him! And that is my “why”!
Please continue to pray for me and my squad as we continue the preparation process for this year of missions and travel. Also, pray for all those preparing to leave in August, and the other squads that will be heading out in October as well. And prayerfully consider financially supporting me as you support me through your prayers and speaking courage into my life!
