And so here I am writing a blog post. Not something that I would be found doing on a day to day basis; however, I guess that’s what makes this Race exciting from the get go, instilling challenges in my life and pushing me to do things that I may not have otherwise done. And since this is my first post, I feel like it would be beneficial to explain a bit about me, however for the full details, go check out the “about me” portion. I digress, let’s dive in.
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4) And so that being said I hope that not just this blog, but through this Race to the starting line, beyond, and into life; that you the reader would see a servant seeking Christ in his actions, words and thoughts. I’m 20 years old, and have been fortunate to have lived an amazing, and blessed life. I’ve driven across the country, been part of an international race team, got a section football ring in high school, built my truck back to running more than a few times, have been blessed with three amazing siblings, two of whom are happy and healthy(the other went to see Jesus a little sooner than OUR plans held). I’ve climbed to one of the highest points in the continental United States, and at one point, made the amazingly beautiful mistake to try and make a deal with God.
If I have the gas money, good boots, and food, I’m willing to go anywhere/anytime. One day that led me to Tahoe National Forest with my best friend plus one, and to spare the little details, we ended up hanging off the edge of a cliff made of shale and dead brush, a couple hundred feet too high for comfort. And I had seen the Race online, even opened an application, however I didn’t know if my past would allow me to go. It was in the moment; with my legs locked around a tree, and a girl I had met a week before hanging from my foot, swaying with a canyon below her, God decided to whisper to me. I realized how dumb this was. I put myself in this situation. And for what benefit? I deliberately put myself in this forest for an adventure, and if someone had been hurt that day, that’s on me. With no benefit. Bringing no glory, or spreading the Good News. Meanwhile there is a whole world outside of this forest, and I may not get to see it or explore my Purpose because I wanted to reach the road home faster. And in the middle of this struggle, and pulling this girl up to safety, that I began to think of the race. And out-loud, I verbalized it. I started talking with God. It was simple, I said, “okay, you win, we get out of here and i’ll go”.
And here I am, my past a story for another day, and my future lies ahead in future posts, so stay tuned. That day I surrendered to plan not my own. God bridled my recklessness again, and again tamed my spirit to fit his plans and not my own. And so this race is me being obedient, with a lowered head I march on through grace and mercy. And God is still taming me, still submitting me, and I am grateful. Fundraising is something I’ve done before, but that wasn’t the purpose of this post. If you want to donate, please do, there’s a link on this page. Stay tuned for more about how God is working in my life, now, for 9 months abroad, and for the rest of my life.
Much Love Friends.
