In December 2017 the Lord had been placing people in my life that casually began conversation about international missions and the cost of following Jesus wherever he calls us. Then, I went to this conference in late December in Kansas City where I had the opportunity to partake in a prophetic ministry group where this couple asked the Lord for words of affirmation and prophecy for each individual in the group. I was incredibly encouraged by the words this couple spoke to me. They listened to the voice of the Lord and used scripture to speak truth over me, but one thing they said stuck me deeply. The women looked me in the eyes and said “There’s one last thing, I just see nations all over you. Your passport is going to be full, and you can trust the Lord to provide for you to go.” This left me absolutely undone and bawling in front of complete strangers because I felt so deeply that this was a truth that God was speaking right to me through this woman. It was like this message and call to go to the nations was part of my identity that was always there but was just being unveiled for the first time. I knew at that moment I needed to go wherever the Lord called me to go.
Adventures In Missions and The World Race just so happened to keep popping up in conversations with others, in my email, on my internet browser, so I went for it! Before I knew it, this calling had become a reality! I feel the need to make it clear that, yes, while this is a trip that will be a great adventure, I am well aware of the cost of giving up 11 months of security. I am well aware that we will be entering into communities where my heart will break in so many different ways. I know that I will be so moved by the people I build relationships with and have to leave, the clear cultural differences will open my eyes to my privilege and reveal to me the unimaginable hardships some people face. I will be so uncomfortable, and I will be physically, emotionally, and spiritually stretched and challenged. I will be far from the comforts home, and my supportive crazy family, lifelong friends, and incredible boyfriend. I will not be an easy phone call, car ride, or flight away from those I love most. I will struggle, but I am so excited to see how the Lord draws me closer to Him in this journey and makes me rely entirely on Him.
Relying on the Lord seems to be a theme of the year for me, and I beyond excited to see how the Lord continues to strengthen my trust in Him, and tug on my heart on The Race and every moment leading up until then. As I look back, I can see so clearly how the Lord has been pursuing me, and calling me deeper to trust him, and to trust his plan, even when I can’t organize and plan everything in my head to have it all make sense. That’s the God though, He is full of miraculous surprises that keep giving us glimpses of his radical pursuit of us; He’s just awesome. I am pumped to continue to reflect in awe of how the Lord continues to pursue me in this journey and all others who join me in it.
So that’s me, my story of making the decision to do The World Race, and God’s gracious pursuit in the midst of it all. Join me on The World Race friends, and I’m certain you too will catch a glimpse of the Lord’s pursuit.
Picture Credit: Hailey Patrick
My Route! I was so overwhelmed withe Holy Spirit when this route was introduced over the January route reveal. I knew it was the one the Lord was calling me to.
