“Jesus You’re worthy of every tribe and tongue, All for your glory till every soul is won.” YWAM Kona – Missionary Anthem (LIVE) – YWAM Kona
Nine months away from friends and family. Nine months away from easy accessibility to anything I could possibly need. Nine months of living out of two backpacks. Nine months of living in countries where I do not speak the language. Nine months of unknown ministry, spiritual and physical challenges, and whatever life throws at me.
So, why am I doing this?
Honestly, I could’ve gone to college directly after high school. I’ve maintained my grades throughout high school and I’m sure I would have been able to get good scholarships. I could have chosen to sit in a classroom and listen to a professor several days per week. I would have had a set schedule for all of my classes and activities. I would have been comfortable.
That’s the problem.
A while ago while the preacher at my church was speaking he said, “You can have comfort or you can have growth. But you can’t have both.” Simply, comfort and growth cannot coexist. God cares more about your growth than your comfort. His timing might feel poorly timed and uncomfortable. But convenience is not something we should expect from God.
God may not operate on our time frame, but He is always on time. If we attempt to schedule growth — to wait until life isn’t so busy, to wait until a time with more financial stability, to wait until God’s commands feel less confrontational — we will miss out on what God is doing now.
When I first heard about the World Race through Instagram, I looked through the webpage and immediately shot down the idea and dismissed it. The thought of leaving my comfort zone, raising a seemingly impossible amount of money, and moving across the world with total strangers was not exactly appealing to me.
After hearing about this opportunity, it seemed like every thing led back to the World Race. The sermon would be about trusting the Lord’s plan. Another ad would pop up while I was aimlessly scrolling through my phone. I would receive a text message days later from one of my friends that said, “Have you heard about the World Race?” The ways He called me go on and on.
As hard as I tried to run from the World Race, God was always one step ahead leading me back to it. I was frustrated with God. Why would He call me, out of all people, to do this? I felt incapable to do what He was calling me to do. I had a whole list made up in my mind of why I shouldn’t go. But God stepped in and gave me a list of reasons I should go.
So, why am I going on the World Race?
Because the gospel, the story of Jesus, is too good and too life giving to not share with those who are broken and need restoration.
Because as a follower of Christ I have the command from Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations.
Because I cannot help but smile when I think about little kids experiencing the joy that’s found in the Lord.
Because God led me to this point and He isn’t going to leave me here.
Because the World Race makes me uncomfortable, which means God is going to grow me during this time.
Because Jesus is worthy.
