The past few weeks have been swirled into a blur. Between applications, interviews, phone calls and long conversations and prayers with family, the process to this point has been nothing short of overwhelming. And the one question I've gotten the most from people when I tell them about The World Race (TWR) is this:
What made you want to do this?
Since I graduated from JMU in 2011, I have worked as a Youth Assistant at First Presbyterian Church, in Harrisonburg, VA. In that position I grew in many different ways through interactions with the youth and their families. I learned a great deal about myself and my own walk with Christ through the students I worked with. Needless to say, I have absolutely loved my time at FPC.
However, in the past few months I have been feeling an urge to step out. I have settled into a routine and have found myself content in my relationship with my Lord, and, in that, have loosened my reliance on Him. While I adore the students I minister to, I cannot ignore the pull that God has on my life. It's hard to recognize and accept when it's time for you to step away from something that's been so influential in your life, but that's exactly what I'm doing. And, in turn, is why I began looking in to The World Race.
My prayer is that my feeling of contentment will be replaced with an urgent reliance on the Lord to provide. And my mentality of being "stuck" will eventually be taken over by an overwhelming feeling of openess. It may seem like a large, daunting leap to get involved with such a large trip, but that's what we're called to do. Jesus calls us to take up our cross, leave behind the comforts we grown to "love", and ultimately follow Him.
I am positive that TWR is God's answer to my prayer to be challenged. I am open and excited at how the Creator will mold me into a new person throughout the course of the next two years. And I pray that in times of fear, stress and anxiety, I can return back to the promise Moses speaks of in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
