I think more people have asked me if I am excited for the World Race this week than in the past six months all together. And, of course, each time, I answer “Oh my gosh, yes, I’m so stoked!” Which is absolutely true….but if I’m being completely honest with myself, in my mind, it’s more like “YES, I’m excited BUT…”
Most of you have probably heard of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This past week, I have had a lingering case of pretty serious 2015 FOMO. My life in good ole Collegeville, Pennsylvania seems to finally be settling in…just in time for me to pack up and move out! I have a solid group of friends, fantastic church community, and a full life with a lot of things to do. My college friends are getting engaged, or into new relationships, or starting a new married life, new jobs in new places, all of which I want to be a part of…hear about, visit, attend weddings, etc. My sister Emily is looking at grad school, and the fact that I am missing her upcoming graduation. My sister Katie is 16 going on 25 and I don’t want to miss her first prom and what feels like basically the rest of her life to me right now. I’ve been building new friendships that I’m not quite ready to let go of. And let’s face the facts, there are no half off apps at Applebee’s overseas.
The truth is, going on the Race is one of the most exciting things I have ever done. But it also probably the farthest place from comfort that I have ever been.
My initial instinct to comfort myself, and the advice of so many of the people around me is “This is the experience of a life time, you are going to be doing so many cool things, you won’t even miss home!”
I mean, that’s not true. I’m definitely not a home body, but I’m certain I will miss people, warm showers, events. But that’s not the point.
It IS true that this is the experience of a lifetime, that I will have amazing adventures, meeting people who will change my life, and having loads of fun in 2015. But honestly, that isn’t the point either.
The point is Romans 10:13-15, “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.'”
I know for a fact that if I were to stay home and nestle into my cozy life, as happy as it makes me now, I would not be content. I would have a fun life, with good friends, good food, and full comfort. And although I would be going to church and trying to live a Christ centered life, I would not have the fullness of life that is promised in the Bible, because I would be ignoring the call the the Lord put on my heart almost 9 years ago. I know that the Lord has built me up to send me out into the nations this year. Whether I do missions in the long term future or not, I KNOW that in this season, God created in me a heart for missions. So, if it means obedience and spreading God’s love overseas, which I know I am called to do…it’s okay to miss out. And I know that throughout 2015, God will bless me with a fullness of life and love for those around me and those I am serving, and will give me the confidence that I need to be fully present.
So although the promise of adventure and newness and travel is exciting, what really helps when I’m feeling sad or anxious about leaving behind people I love is that Jesus has called me to do this. So I have to do this. And I am thrilled beyond belief that I serve a God that loves me enough to create me for his purpose, to give each of us different desires and different callings according to his purpose. What an amazing God we serve:)
