Hi Readers,
Its Saturday afternoon, the first weekend in January, there is no snow in sight, the sun is shining, a few birds and squirrels are out to play, and it is 43 degrees. Lately I have been looking outside and have forgotten that we are in the beginning stages of winter. You won’t hear anyone here complaining about this weather though. Today I will begin writing my support letters and sending them out. This is a daunting task! I wanted to publicly share some thoughts/fears and kick them to the curb with scripture. For that, I need to tell you about this book called Captivating. Ladies, if you haven’t read it, its GOOD. It is that good for the soul kind of book. Gentleman, I suggest reading it as well. As stated on the cover, it is “unveiling the mystery of a woman’s soul.” Men, you have a book for you too called Wild at Heart (which I began reading last night). I will tell you that I’ve heard the name of this book Captivating come up multiple times within the last few years. When I moved to Michgian I finally bought it. It took me a few times to get started. Maybe it was timing or because I wasn’t ready to face the truth. It could also be that I didn’t make time to read. So, after re-reading the first two chapters, three times, I finally said, “I’m going to start it, and finish it.” Those of you who know me know that I do NOT like reading. So this was a goal of mine that I accomplished! I am so glad I did. Flipping through, there is so many highlighted marks in my book that I might as well have just painted the entire thing yellow with my highlighter. That being said, let’s tackle my first fear- fundraising.
Yesterday was January 4th. I had a slap to the face moment, “Wait, in five months I will be in Georgia for the first day of training camp and I haven’t started fundraising!!” *Gasp* My fear (and everyone else’s who are going on the world race) was, “Will I be able to raise the money?” I’ll start with 1 Peter 3:6 that says: “…Do not give way to fear…” (Captivating, 143). On the same page it reads, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15) “In repentance and rest. He loves it when we, gripped with doubt and fear that he will not be enough, turn the gaze of our souls to him in hope. He loves to prove himself faithful and more than enough to satisfy our hungry souls. When we do turn to him, our souls rest and we are saved. Again. And again” (Captivating, 143). So, will I be able to raise the money? I don’t know. But, I DO know that if this is a true calling from God, then he will make a way. I just need to do my part and to trust in him.
Now that the news of my trip has become public, I have heard people say, “you can’t go there! Its not safe!” Or, “what if you end up in a dangerous situation?” It is a hard subject to talk about because you’re right, it is dangerous! I’ve never been to these places or these countries. I have NO idea what to expect. There is a great story that John and Stasi Eldredge wrote about in their book regarding one of their friends, and I think I read it at the perfect time in my life, for this exact situation. It says, “security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus” (Captivating, 208). Are you clapping right now? I am. You will have to read the story for yourself- it’s short but inspiring. Many stories throughout their book were told of women daring to be brave. “She is willing to take enormous risks to become the woman that she is meant to be” (Captivating, 210). I could type out quotes from their book all day long. I’m telling you, it is a book of healing. “Webster defines risk as exposing one’s life to the possibility of injury, damage, or loss. The life of the friends of God is a life of profound risk. The risk of loving others. The risk of stepping out and offering, speaking up and following our God-given dreams” (Captivating, 215). As I read through all the words I’ve highlighted in the book, I get a sense of peace. I have another, “…ah” moment where I can breathe. Everything will work out. No one knows what the future has in store. You are on God’s time table, not your own. God asks us to be vulnerable and he wants us to trust Him. “Adventure requires something of us, puts us to the test. Though we may fear the test, at the same time we yearn to be tested, to discover what it takes” (Captivating, 18).
Again, why The World Race? The better question may be, why not The World Race? “The reason we fear to step out is because we know that it might not go well…that is why we can only risk stepping out when we are resting in the love of God…profoundly…Jesus lived a life of love and he invites us to do the same. Regardless of the response” (Captivating, 216). As my afternoon continues, and I begin writing these letters, I first begin with prayer. I hope that you will be praying for me as well. This is just the start. All I did was say “yes” and now I wait on God to do the rest. Enjoy your weekend. I look forward to talking with you soon–much love.
“The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61: 1-3)
