May 13, 2017
I graduated from the best university in the entire world, Liberty University (no bias included). The day was fun and exciting, full of laughs and celebration, friends and family, games and a cookout! There was a lot of anticipation building up to that day and many mixed emotions – happy because no more schoolwork to worry about but sad to leave the place I called a second home for the past 4 years.
I was surprised by my emotional roller coaster as I expected to be more excited and less sad than I actually was. I thought the main reason was because my friends and I were going our separate ways or because I was not coming back or even because I would just miss being a student. But when I really sat down and evaluated the root of this sadness it was because of the World Race.
While the World Race is a great opportunity and I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do, it made graduation, and even these past 12 days emotionally difficult.Graduation was a pivot point for me.
Because since graduation I have gone from being surrounded by friends and family to being surrounded by strangers.
I no longer have August as a time to look forward to to catch up with friends I have not seen in the past 3 months but rather has a time of only having 1 month with those I love most.
Since graduation, I have gone from familiar to foreign and come October will only go into a more foreign land (literally).
I have gone from the comfort of home to an unknown place.
This realization made graduation more of a time of grief and mourning than a time of celebration.
Luke 14:25-27 says
“Many people were traveling with Jesus. He said to them, “If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life! Whoever will not carry the cross that is given to them when they follow me cannot be my follower.”
The emotional weight of this verse is much greater than I could have ever imagined. It’s easy to leave behind material possessions…but family and friends, not so easy. And since graduation, this verse has become a reality.
However, with graduation comes anticipation and hope for what God will do through the World Race.
The World Race brings opportunity for fulfilled promises.
The World Race brings opportunity for learning about new cultures.
The World Race brings opportunity to see God’s creation.
The World Race brings opportunity for growth.
The World Race brings opportunity to see God work in ways never experienced before.
The World Race brings opportunity for new family and friends around the world.
Graduation was pivot point for me.
Because since graduation, the World Race has allowed me to go from being surrounded by things that comfort me to being surrounded with new opportunities.
