It’s hard to believe it has only been one month since learning that I was accepted to go on the World Race. I feel as though my life has been completely transformed in this past month. I cherish the time spent with friends and my church family much more than before, as I realize my time with them is limited. My mind-set and priorities have changed as well. I look around me and realize how much junk I own that I have absolutely no need for and think twice before purchasing new clothing as I know I can’t bring it with me on next years journey. I had never before stopped to think about how much money I was throwing away each month on eating out, cable bills, and useless entertainment. I realize now that there are much better ways for that money to be spent than shallowly giving in to my selfish desires. . I am learning the power of prayer and what it means to have faith in a God who works miracles. I am realizing that my relationship with God was a little shallow and that I still have so far to go in learning what it means to be sold out to Him. I was looking through my prayer journal the other day and found an entry I had written moments after learning I had been accepted to the World Race. I think it’s fitting to share that now in my very first blog entry:
June 30 2009 Dear Jesus,
I sit here right now in stunned silence with tears in my eyes. I just received the phone call from AIM telling me I am accepted to go on the World Race. I thought I would be more excited – and I know that will come once this sets in. Now, however, I feel a little terrified. I am venturing way out of my comfort zone and stepping out in faith. I have never done this before to such a huge extent. I am nervous about raising the funds and attempting to sell my condo and possibly my car. I am scared about all the little details. I know you are going to work them out in amazing ways, and I run to you now with my fears. I am so excited to watch you work. I can’t wait for my tiny faith to be made huge as I stand back in wonder and awe. I am ready for my life to be transformed – how could it ever be the same after an experience like this!? My prayer, Lord Jesus, is that I fall intimately more in love with You as I experience You. Please guide and direct me and keep me always in the very center of Your will.
The tears continue to fall as I think about leaving David, the comfort of my own bed, loved ones and financial security. Then, I realize how incredibly selfish I have become and know that stepping out of my comfort zone is an absolute must in becoming sold out for Christ. Please change my heart through this process. Teach me the power of prayer and what it means to truly experience You and hear Your voice. Fill me with a stronger passion for the hurting and the lost. May I learn to look at people through Your eyes and love them with Your heart. Jesus, I have so many prayer requests and I am laying them down at your feet. Take me and use me according to your will. I love you so much; please teach me to love You even more. In your holy and precious Name, AMEN
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” –
-Ephesians 3:14-21
