Writing this blog almost brings me to tears. How incredible is it that I have gotten to this point by solely relying on the Lord to provide me with the best supporters in the world. Imagining that I would raise over 16,000 dollars, in less than 9 months, was a huge fear of mine coming into this. If I am being completely honest with y’all, I almost didn’t even pursue the World Race because of how uncomfortable it makes me to fundraise. But here I am! Nine months later, I get to share with everyone that I AM FULLY FUNDED!!!!!
I want to thank every single one of y’all for helping me get to this point. Thank you not only to the people who donated financially, but to anyone who sent me any sort of love, support, or prayer. There is no way that I could have done this on my own. I seriously cannot thank you enough.
This whole walk of learning how to fundraise, has brought me to an amazing revelation about the Body of Christ. When we come together to spread His glory, there is a unification like no other. In this generation there is a lot of separation between communities. Though one thing that we all have in common, is that we are brothers and sisters, unified by our Father. How beautiful is that?! Love is one of the greatest gifts that Jesus has given to us. The generosity and servant hearts that flow from that gift of love is what brings the Body of Christ together. He of course is the Head, but we are the literal Body that follows and does what the Head does. It’s a direct connection from us to Him. When we pray together, we are praying with Jesus. When we sing together, we are singing with Jesus. When we eat together, we are eating with Jesus. When we laugh together, we laugh with Jesus. It’s us and it’s Him. This got me thinking… Then why do we judge those who are right next to us? It’s wrong judgement of the Body to judge the person next to me. If I am at church and someone is singing and dancing with their arms in the air while I am standing still and singing, why in the world do I have the right to judge them? Jesus is still accepting and loving us equally in both ways. I should strive to look at my neighbor as someone of the Body of Christ that I love, not just at their flesh. Yes, this is extremely difficult to do, but through living with and loving one another, we get a little hint of how to love like Jesus does! By releasing our individualism and our individualistic thoughts, and instead choosing to recognize Jesus in all members of the Body, our judgmental thoughts will begin to fade and be replaced by higher thoughts. We are called to love each other.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:10-12
Wow y’all. Sending endless hugs and thank you’s to each and every one of you. God is faithful. He provides! What a testament this is to what He is capable of. Thank you for showing your love and reading my blogs <3
Much love,
Shelby
