There is a quote by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov that sums up the way I’m feeling: “When a person expends the least amount of motion on one action, that is grace.”
The quote represents an aspect of generosity that is both difficult to embrace and so important. We teach ourselves to work so hard for everything and to ‘earn our way’ in this world – which, of course, is a desirable and noble perspective. I have acted this out when it comes to ‘trying to’ prepare and fundraise for The World Race. With $15,000 to raise, a lot of decisions to make, and a lot of changes on the horizon, I have tried to ‘take things into my own hands’ and work hard making sure I’m staying proactive (again, this in not necessarily a bad thing!).
Here is where things get crazy… You see, God operates on a whole different playing field than we do, AMEN?! I hadn’t even SENT out my letters, and somehow, someone, somewhere, gives me an anonymous donation that I didn’t have to lift a finger for – I didn’t give a grand presentation, fill out a bunch of paperwork, or do hours of labor for it – it just appeared, like… well, like miracles do.
So, in the meantime, I’ve sent out my letters, and have been praying like crazy. Everyday, I am more excited and more ready for The Race. And God has provided divine ‘coincidences’ along the path – for example, a girl named Laura Economides from Seattle is doing the Race in September, too – and we found out through friends, connected over coffee, and are now meeting weekly to pray and encourage one another. I mean, how does that just HAPPEN?! And every day God pushes my comfort zone and stretches me to trust Him just a little bit more than the day before.
Miracles, miracles, miracles.
God is always in the business of Miracles. And where does the grace come in? Well, today, I went to check my fundraising account for The Race, and a very dear couple whom are the parents of a very special friend (I won’t give away the name of) had given towards my Race – and God reminds me, yet again, that His timing and provision just makes perfect sense. In the same way that I don’t have to ‘earn’ this money, but just continue living out the calling, God says, “You don’t have to earn my love for you. I love you. I love you. I L O V E Y O U. Do you need me to repeat it? I LOVE YOU. I am everything you need and more, so let go of the fear, the jealousy, the doubt… All you need to know is, I am enough. Period.”
For those of you who have given towards My Race, I want you to know that you are investing in something so special. You are investing in global missions, in my life, in the journey ahead, and in all of the miracles that God has yet to show us. And honestly, I couldn’t do this without you. I mean, literally, couldn’t. Do. This. So, you know who you are – my relatives in California – THANK YOU. My childhood neighbors on 175th Street – THANK YOU. My amazing friends at Epic – THANK YOU. My business-savvy friend in Seattle – THANK YOU. My friends in Texas – THANK YOU. My friend in Korea – THANK YOU.
I am AMAZED, thankful, baffled, and honored that you would trust me and believe in me to go to the world, to the nations, and share the goodness, gentleness, and kindness of Jesus.
Boom. Grace in a nutshell.
