The World Race- A year long mission trip beginning in January. A year of traveling to and living in 11 different countries sharing the gospel, serving and loving people, seeking after God. In addition, I'll be learning about the depths of community as I serve alongside my squad members. It will be a step out of my comfort zones, it will be a year that the Lord breaks and reshapes my heart, it will be a year of vulnerability, a year of learning and teaching, a year of growing closer to my God.
Recently I have been thinking about Moses.
Why?
Because I am full of [excuses].
Exodus 3:10 says, "Come, I [God] will send you [Moses] to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
& Moses immediately responds by saying, "…Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
This is exactly how I responded when the Lord began calling me to the World Race a year ago.
God was saying to me, "Come, I will send you to the nations that you may bring my people, the children of God, out of the bondage of sin." & like Moses I imediately asked "Who am I that I should go?" And then began to list a few reasons why I am not the person he should send. Reminding God that I am not like Ruth and Candace, I am not as courageous as they are, my faith is not as strong as theirs is. I was quick to tell God that people like Ruth and Candace are the World Racer type but people like me, are not.
But the Lord wasn't impressed with my excuses.
He wasn't impressed with Moses' either. Throughout chapters three and four, Moses offers five excuse filled responses for why he cannot go, why he cannot be used.
- "But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11
- "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?" what shall I say to them?" Exodus 3:13
- Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice,for they will say, ' The Lord did not appear to you.'" Exodus 4:1
- But then Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." Exodus 4:10
- But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else." Exodus 4:13
As I read these chapters, I can hear my own voice. Even now after I have applied, been interviewed and been accepted to the World Race I'm still offering lame excuses to God: "A year is a long time", "I have never been away from home that long", "But I will miss out on things here", "I don't know anyone I'm traveling with", "I'm not prepared", "There's no way I can raise that much money", "What could I possibly have to offer?" "I don't know enough", "I am not eloquent", "Are you sure you meant me?" "I can't write this blog because I have nothing worth saying", "I'm not the World Racer type", etc.
But like I said before, the Lord is not interested in my excuses.
HE WANTS MY OBEDIENCE.
He keeps telling me what he kept telling Moses over and over and over, I have called [YOU] & I will equip you & I will be with you along the way. It is a simple statement but it is such an assuring statement.
I'm going on the World Race becuase:
- I have been commanded.
- My heart has been longing for missions.
- For two years I have not been able to think of anything else.
- I have made my relationships an idol.
- I have been hiding in my comfort.
- The Lord isn't interested in my excuses. He wants my obedience.
- I am not tied down.
- The Lord doesn't see who I have been but who I can be.
- God has a purpose for my life.
- God is bigger than what I've made him to be.
- I am called to love people.
- There are people who have never heard about the gospel.
- God has been so incredibly intentional.
- Life is about more than societies expectaions.
- My life is not my own.
How you can help:
1. Prayer. Lots of Prayer!
- For myself and my squad members as we prepare for this trip.
- For each country I will be traveling to.
- For the people we will meet.
- For my family.
- For health.
- For funds.
2. Financial Support:
If you are interested in helping me raise support, click the "Help Send Me" link located underneath my profile picture.
- Deadlines:
- October 1 — $3,500
- December 15 — $6,500
- April 1 — $11,000
-
July 1– $15,500
My eleven countries: China, Philippines, Hondurus, Guatemala, El Salvador, Romania, Albania, India, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania. *Subject to change
