So, my dad won’t quit talking about bitcoin. My sister keeps telling me about the upward trends in crypto-currency and my brother is throwing out coding terms and exchange rate logic left and right. And I just sit here, realizing the two semesters of Econ that I sloppily pulled myself through did not equip me for family dinners in the 21st century.
Here’s what I do know: people worry about money a lot. They sift through paychecks and furrow their brows calculating overtime. They juggle savings accounts and fight off spontaneous splurges. And yet some of them decided to give their money to me.
It’s been about two months since I was accepted to go on the Race. I’ve been support raising seriously for about a month, and can I just tell you how humbled I am??
I can’t stop thinking about the widow in Mark 12.
“41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Every single one of my supporters owes me nothing. They have no obligation to give to my race, and I have no expectation that they would give if they are working through money issues themselves. And yet, Jesus shows us that we don’t need abundance to contribute, and He has repeated that truth to me again and again in the form of my supporters.
I have loved getting asked tough questions about where my heart is at during this process. I have loved catching up with people from high school, college, and the crazy adventures in between. I have loved putting on silly events and stuffing envelopes for hours on end in coffee shops. And I have loved watching people step up and say “I want to support you.”
I think it’s kind of crazy when people say that, if I’m being honest. Why? Because I hate asking people for money. If I were writing a truthful ad for myself, it would say, “Don’t give me your money! I’m not worth your investment!” And that’s true! This isn’t meant to be a self-deprecating post or a plea for pity. It’s true: I’m not worth your investment, but the Gospel is.
Every cent that gets put into my World Race fund sparks gratitude in my heart for the Lord and the unexpected ways He provides. It churns the aching part of my soul that is just ready to GO and do this thing. And all of these conversations remind me that God isn’t waiting until August to work in my life. He’s using this process, challenging as it can be, to bring me closer to people and to share my love for the Gospel with them. I’m continuing to pray that our team of Racers will honor your donations, whether they’re four figures or four cents. Thank you for supporting me and for investing in my adventure with the Lord.
