Ask any Racer right about now (except those few that are fully-funded) and they think about their funds and/or lack thereof at least five times a day. Personally, I probably think about it at least once an hour. Funds for our support accounts are utmost important for keeping us on the field and getting us to the field. That $16,200-ish we are all trying to raise individually gets us that seat on the plane leaving the US and keeps that seat for us from country to country. It is the necessity to be able to go. It is also the thing that most of us cannot control ourselves. We can do fundraiser after fundraiser, send letter upon letter – yes. However, we cannot make someone give. We cannot change the heart of someone to become generous with their money. But, God can.
A huge theme of the World Race is learning to rely and trust fully on the provision of God (Luke 12:29-32). This doesn’t start on the field. It starts from the moment you say “yes” and the preparing begins. We are learning to trust and rely on God when there are no donations all month, and also when we get the $1000 anonymous donations. A lot of time I spend praying to God for more donors or for donors to constantly be generous in giving. It is a humbling thing to acknowledge that the money they give is not because of anything I did to earn it, but instead it is simply because God is a good, good Father and He is showing me His provisions through His people.
Another thing that I have learned more deeply through this fundraising journey is that God gives much to those who He can first trust with little (Luke 16:10). When He can trust us with a few donations and we show to be good stewards, He gives us more. For this reason, I am not afraid of launching without being fully funded. I will show that I am a good steward with the donations that have made their way to my account thus far by being obedient to God on the field (and off). When He sees that and when other donors see that, I believe God will continue to bless me through more and more of His people. Obedience begets trust, and trust in God begets an incredible journey of faith that is unparalleled.
This pre-Launch phase of fundraising has taught me something else, too. God provides, even when we are full of doubt (2 Timothy 2:13). I serve a God who is rich in love and generous in mercy. When my faith is little, my God doesn’t just throw in the towel and give up on me. He loves me and shows me mercy. He keeps telling me, “Little one, just trust in me. I have good things for you. I love you. Have faith! Be encouraged! I will show you, don’t worry. You can always rely on Me.” I went three months with only one donation each month — my always loving, ever-supportive sister: Shana. THREE MONTHS. I was discouraged, obviously. But then, I had five new donors just this month, y’all! FIVE new donors!!! Did I do anything to deserve them? No. God just sent them to me anyway, reminding me that He is always faithful and that even my discouragement is no match for His unfailing love.
Why do I share this with you?
Because I want you to know what is going through the mind of a Racer right now, and specifically: what is going through my mind. Because I need your help. I need you to donate, even if it is just that $4 that you were going to buy Starbucks with later. I need you to pray for my funds and for me to be steadfast in trusting on God to supply my needs. I need you to tell your friends, pastors, neighbors, family members, business owners, etc. about what I’m doing and how they can help. And please know, I don’t deserve your money, but those people who don’t know about Jesus and the forgiveness and salvation He gives — they deserve it, and I’ve been called to be a messenger of that Good News.
Now begs the question:
Will you help me?
“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
