During a meeting with my Pastor and his wife, Pastor looked me in the eye and asked what fears I’m facing. First, that I am not doing enough to ask for support. Second, that somehow AIM made a mistake and I’m not right for the job. Did you catch that? Where is the focus? No wonder they are fears! That attitude focuses my attention and dependence on – me. That is terrifying!
Over and over this year God has been speaking through the devotional book God Calling (Ed. A. J. Russell) to rest in Him and seek Him. Only through Him will all fear cease. “Rise above your fears and fancies into My Joy…Forget all sense of failure and shortcomings, all the painful jolts and jars, and trust Me, love Me, call upon Me. Your discipleship is an obstacle race. ‘So run that ye may obtain.’ Obtain not only your hearts’ desires, but obtain Me – your souls’ Joy and Haven.” (June 9)
When I finally stopped trying to figure everything out on my own – The World Race, moving across the country, packing, fundraising, a possible trip to Zambia in September that fell through – and listened in the car last Shabbat, God’s answer was very simple. It’s not about you.
It’s about God.
He opened this door. He will provide. Period. In June, I went up for prayer after church because I was so lost as to what steps to take in my life. Bern gently laid her hand on my shoulder and said relax, enjoy the summer because He wants to work in you so that He will get all the glory. When I worry and strive I am working for me, not Him. All praise and glory and honor to our Father in heaven. He will miraculously provide for all of my needs and place me where I need to be in His timing. Then He who rightly deserves it will get the glory.
It’s about the supporters.
You. My family and friends and colleagues and community who are reading this blog, surrounding me in prayer, and donating to this mission. God blesses us when we give to His work. Last Sunday at my parent’s church, Pastor spoke about supporting each other and said, “God will always pay you back.” Whether it be time or money or things, God blesses our gifts. My prayer is that God will use this Race to greatly bless you.
It’s about the team.
Over and over I have read that the team of racers will become like family. We have begun to introduce ourselves on Facebook. We are building a playlist of songs that speak to and inspire us. We are praying for one another. About fifty of use will be traveling together, living together, ministering together and ministering to each other. Each of us has a unique background and gifting and have been placed together at this time for His perfect will to be accomplished. He teamed us up and each of us is important for the function of the whole team.
It’s about His people.
He called us to preach the gospel to every nation. God’s heart is that everyone of His creation will know Him and desire relationship with Him. I have said that my heart is to travel, yet this Race is not about travel. Yes I will visit 10 countries that I have never seen before. Yes I will have adventures. Yes I will experience new cultures, languages, foods, and customs. But that is not the point. God called me to the World Race to share His love and Gospel with others, to feed children and play with orphans, to paint a church, to serve, to teach, to pray for the sick, and to cry with the hurting.
This trip, as every day of my life should be, is about God. About walking down the path He planned to accomplish His will for my life.
Isaiah 41:10&13
