I've been telling my friends, family and strangers in passing about The World Race. I have gotten mostly awesome responses but more selfish and "worldly" responses stick out. Here are some actual responses I've gotten that were (even if not meant to be) discouraging to me:
"How are you going to raise all that money?"
"What are you going to do with your hair? They are not going to have hair products for you in those countries."
"Oh, I know you're going to miss all of your clothes and shoes."
"Can't you wait and do that later?"
"I don't think that is a good idea, you aren't going to like all of those bugs out there."
"Are you crazy? Don't do that.. you're going to waste a year of your life! Go to grad school like YOU planned so you can move up in the ranks here in Philly."
"When are you going to get married and have kids? I think it's time you start thinking about that."
"YOU ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO SAVE THE WORLD. YOU CAN'T SAVE EVERYBODY, BELLE"
etc…
My friend Amber shared one of her daily devotionals with me the day after I got accepted into the World Race (and she did not know I had been accepted). It said, "When we want to know God's will, there are three things which always occur: the inward impulse, the Word of God, and the trend of circumstances. Never act until these three things agree". This quote spoke to my heart. I knew that quote was confirmation. All three of those things agreed! God's will supersedes any negativity in regard to my divine decisions. I also have very thick skin and don't get easily bothered by negative remarks. However…..
I haven't pinpointed exactly why, but I get bothered when people assume I am always on a mission to save the world.. because I am not. I'm not God.
I believe it is the Savior's job to save… and salvation is FREE through Jesus. How do I know? Well, it is right in the Bible. Most people know John 3:16, right? For God so loved the world….. (I'll let you finish it *smiles*).. but most of us stop there.. What does the next verse say? "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through HIM." I can go on and on with scripture and argue that world is saved since Jesus completed the task He was given, but it is so plain in that verse. In a nutshell: God sent his son to earth. His name was Jesus. Jesus lived a sin free life. Jesus died on the cross to SAVE THE WORLD and rose on the third day with all power in His hands. Believing this is the way to Salvation. The End (Well… not really the end if you think about it.. but I hope you get my point).
So how can I save a world that is already saved? I can't.
What I can (and expect to) do during the 11 months on The World Race is this: Hug, hold and demonstrate God's love to children who have no father or mother to do so… talk to young girls and women who have been forced into the sex trade and give them judgment free hope to surrender their lives to God and know they are not alone in their circumstances… show and tell anyone willing to listen what I know to be true about what God has done for me and some members of my family… and anything and everything else the Holy Spirit leads me to do. "Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light".. I believe God is using me as a vessel- not to save the world… but to spread the truth about the Savior through my words and actions. No more, no less…. and I am pleased with this assignment.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16
XOXO,
Belle
_______________________________________
P.S. I still need your help with funding for my World race. Please spread the world about my ministry or donate if you'd like to support me! Thanks so much if you already have! Please click the "HELP me continue to HELP others" tab in the left hand corner. God Bless!
