First, I expect my relationship with God to deepen. Looking back it is amazing how much I have changed over the last four years, even over the last year. God has become more real. I have a relationship with Him where four years ago I believed in Him. Now He is calling me out of my comfort zone. Away from my church family, my family, my friends, everything familiar and known to fully trust in Him. This trip has forced me to face down doubts and fears and insecurities and stand “on the rock that is higher than I.” Psalms 61 just came to me and that is, and will be, my hearts cry for Him to be my shelter during the Race.
This is a big step of faith. I’m letting go of control and allowing God to be God. As an oldest child I love to be incharge. I’m fulling depending on Him for provision. Asking people for help is something I have only recently learned. I’m trusting His timing of this race in my life. He opened the door for this Race at this time. To the world this Race will seem foolish, but I have so much confidence that this is where God wants me. Recently a friend posted this on Facebook about foolish faith, “It’s scary and vulnerable but it delights His heart and beckons Him to be the Man for His beloved!” I love that!
Second, I expect the Race to be like jumping into a cold lake, it’s extreme. This summer I sold or gave away nearly my entire kitchen, about half of my closet, most of my books, all of my furniture, pretty much everything that didn’t have an emotional or personal attachment. Then He opened up the World Race which requires I live out of a backpack and travel with strangers for nearly a year! Kinda extreme, but this is the only way He could get me to fully let go of my expectations for my life and get me to release myself to trust and follow Him.
Third, I expect my calling to become focused. Although I have been praying about my calling and have gotten some direction I still feel like there are many possibilities. I think that thorough this Race God is going to narrow my focus and show me my calling. What is interesting is that I know my calling is related to my degree, and I have not seen libraries as one of the ministries we will visit on the World Race website.
Finally, I expect to laugh and cry a lot. I expect to be surrounded by children and youth. I expect to dive into new cultures, new foods, and new languages (that I will probably mangle at some point). I expect to see God work in big and small ways in us and through us. I expect to see lives changed including my own. I expect to be hot, cold, sore, sunburned, sick, bug bitten, tired, dirty, and it will all be worth it. I expect to be challenged spiritually, emotionally, and physically and that God will be there to give me strength. I expect to make new, deep, lasting friendships. I expect I’ll have fun.
