I first heard about the World Race in the Fall of 2011 on the first day of an upper division management class. I sat down next to a guy I had never met, introduced myself and wound up hearing about this amazing adventure that he post-poned college to experience. At that point I thought it was cool, but didn't really consider it an option for myself. God was laying the ground work.
The Lord put the Race on my radar again full-force this last summer, when I met one of the most amazing, God-fearing women, Angie, at my internship for a transitional women's shelter. She had amazing pictures and incredible stories of her outrageous adventure. She spoke so longingly of her experience and told me over and over again that she would do it again in a heart-beat. Despite her encouragement, I still could not envision myself doing what she did. But our good Shepherd was leading me there.
(Angie and I in sunny Colorado!)
The next step to the Race was not a huge, earthquake-and-fire moment, but something much closer to the quiet whisper Elijah heard in 1 Kings. The Lord addressed each of my doubts through stragecially placing people in my life. He spoke through my boss Nina, who expressed her deep regret over not having taken the risk to do something like this when she was my age. He spoke through my dear friend Amy, who fundraised $25,000 in two and a half months for her ministry internship. And He spoke through my fellow Invisible Children interns and cherished friends who saw the opportunity through bright of eyes of excitement and encouragement.
(All of us interns on Valentine's Day)
But in the end, it was the quiet peace the Lord gave me, that no matter my decision He will be with me and His Spirit will guide. And in a moment, I felt released to choose, and I knew that the Race is the adventure my heart had been waiting for.
