“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”
– John E. Lewis
This quote pretty much sums up a huge perspective of mine concerning the World Race in my life. (Romans 10:14-15) Thanks for joining in to read of how God led me to the World Race.
I have been so blessed to have been raised in a home that loves the Lord and has taught me and shown me how to do the same. I gave my life to Christ when I was ten years old. What a journey it has been! 🙂 Of course I have had times on the mountain tops of life, and times in deep, dark valleys. However, God is always faithful and He always has a plan, which He is always working together for His ultimate glory and my ultimate good. Romans 8:28 is a promise from the Father that I cling to very often: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The summer between my junior and senior year of high school is when Jesus first broke me for the nations. I was at Super Summer camp at East Texas Baptist University and was glued in when iGo Global was telling us campers about a mission trip that they go on every summer to Japan. They told us different stories of their experiences and all that God had done – insane, take-your-breath-away, make-your-heart-pound stories that God had done overseas and how He had used His people to do it. They also told us of the statistics of Japan- Japan is a pretty significant place with a pretty significant amount of people in it. However, less than one percent of the people in Japan have ever heard of Jesus. That is not less than one percent are Christians- less than one percent have ever HEARD OF JESUS.
Being the church kid, who was learning Bible stories in the womb, this WRECKED ME. I couldn’t believe that it was even possible for this to be real. Not only did God wreck me for the nations and making Him known across the world that day- but He also gave me a deep passion, a deep desire, a burning fire within me to do something about this.
FAST FORWARD a while…to this past August, August 2014. I knew that graduation from college was coming quick! I began getting anxious and asking the “What’s next” questions. A while back I heard about the World Race from a friend. I looked into it and it just didn’t seem right; the timing was wrong. The Race came up again this past August. However, thoughts were more on the lines of, “Well that is super awesome, but I couldn’t do that.” However, among the dreaming with disbelief I began really looking into it more. I began praying about it desperately and continually.
Our God is a good, good Father. Our God is faithful. Our God will answer our prayers. Our God is GOOD. He began transforming those thoughts to, “Yes, you can do this and I want you to do this for Me in this next season of your life. You will never have a more perfect time in your life for this. I have prepared you to do this. And I will lead you to it.” AND HE HAS.
If I were to type out all the continual confirmations that God has given me while I have been praying about this Race these past few months, I could begin a novel. He has changed my desires, He has spoken to me through His Word – stories I have read many times before- but these times it was as if they screamed GO. He has spoken and led me through teachings I have sat under – from praying for specific answers one morning and that afternoon them being preached directly in a crowd of people – the exact thing I was asking Him to lead me in or confirm. He has spoken through friends and my wise counsel that have encouraged me to follow in obedience. He has had to break my heart and renew it – teaching me that He is the very ultimate in my life and He and His desires for me are ultimate and come very first in my life. He has even done so much as use one of my students (that had absolutely no idea that I was even praying about the Race) to send me a text message with the link of the World Race video and said, “You would love this” AS I WAS FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION. He has worked it all to come together so well. I truly believe that He has led me to serve on the incredible journey that is the World Race for the 11 months of January 2016 to November 2016, serving in 11 different countries, making His name known and making much of it.
So that’s my story. I could go on and on. But I will end and say
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
&
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21
