Becoming a Physical Therapist has been an unwavering dream of mine since I tore my ACL and had reconstructive knee surgery almost five years ago. Ever since, I have felt God calling me to become a Physical Therapist so that I can further His kingdom in this specific field, through service to others, and telling my own story. Over the past three years, I have been shadowing, learning, researching, and praying that God would guide me to apply to the right Doctorate of Physical Therapy Programs (DPT) this upcoming summer of 2016.
Rewinding a bit, I first heard about the World Race in September last year when I saw Lauren Daigle in concert on campus at GCU. I thought, “How neat, people actually go serve for 11 months in 11 different countries!” Then in October, I looked up the routes and told my best friend Morgan that, if I didn’t get accepted into PT school right away, then I would go on the World Race as my backup plan. At that time, I fully knew that God was calling me to PT school, so as amazing as the World Race sounded, I didn’t think it was for me because God had me on a different schedule.
That was about to change.
Fast forward to January 30, 2016, when I was on day six of my local church’s 10-day Daniel Fast. On this day we were called to meditate and pray to ask God to show us His plan for our work or school life. Through this time of meditation, prayer, and reading Romans 12:1-2, God vividly told me to surrender all that I believed was in my near future and simply “GO.” I shot straight out of bed and bowed down before the Lord in my room and prayed that He would bring someone into my life tomorrow to tap me on the shoulder and confirm that I was supposed to go on the World Race. However, I already knew in my heart that this was where God was leading me.
Throughout this season, Jeremiah 29:13 has been on my heart: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” I truly believe that through seeking and searching to know God better, He has prepared my heart to be receptive to His calling. But, this also requires surrendering to God’s plan and guidance, often before He gives it. Surrender. A word often used by followers of Christ and, at times, a word that is hard to stomach because it often means letting go of something in order to give it fully to God and grow in Him.
God has called me day by day to completely surrender my future desires and dreams to Him and follow His calling for the next year. To surrender my daily comforts, familiar culture, family, friends, identity, and finally, my deepest passion and dream to become a Physical Therapist.
So, in complete surrender, I applied to the World Race. PT school is still a desire and dream that I hope to fulfill one day, but for now God has called me to the World Race and I have decided to surrender now instead of later. I was slightly terrified, immensely excited, and completely filled with God’s joy as I prayed, submitted my application, and allowed my closest friends and family members into this exciting adventure and ministry opportunity to serve others across the world.
As I get ready to GO serve in 11 countries over 11 months next year, I am in deep prayer that God would allow my heart to remain fully surrendered to Him as I raise funds, prepare spiritually and mentally, and get to know my fellow “worldracers”.
In the upcoming weeks, I will be blogging, sending emails and support letters, and contacting friends and family. If you would like to be a part of God’s calling for my life, I would greatly appreciate the support! Whether you are a friend, family member, or even if we’re just now getting acquainted, I would love to invite you into this grand adventure and form a new relationship with you as Christ moves in my heart and yours as well.
May this adventure of a lifetime to simply “GO” and serve the least, the lonely, and the lost, be completely for God. Thank you for taking the time to read my second blog post! I look forward to growing in my relationship with many of you as I enter into this new and exciting season of life. May God truly bless you as we further God’s kingdom together!
In His Service,
Michelle Cupp
P.S. If you’re feeling called right now to help support me in this exciting opportunity, please check out the Support Me! link to the left.
