2017
This was a year of great change in my life. For the first time in my life I felt like I had an identity in my faith. I felt mentally stable and more emotionally mature than I had the past 3 years (junior high isn’t fun y’all) and was obsessed with studying and following the word. Life was great, until I experienced an almost debilitating amount of stress…
about college.
Yes, as a sophomore in high school, I was extremely stressed about college. At Lake Highlands, there is a handful of colleges that are popular. At the time, I felt like those were my only options, and I did not want to go to any of them. I knew not going to college was not an option for my parents, so I felt like I would be forced to go somewhere where I would be stuck in routines similar to the ones I had at home. I craved growth and change, and I was so nervous about not experiencing that. But now I know that the only reason God put this weight on my shoulders was to show his glory and relieve the burden.
I was scrolling through Instagram one night when I stumbled across a fundraising video. I got chills and immediately went to the World Race website. After watching all the videos and reading blogs, I knew for sure that this was what I was called to do. I had never heard the Lord more clearly than that moment.
I was lucky to have found the program so young so my parents would have more time to become comfortable with the process. Shockingly, my parents were on board right away, but of course they had their concerns. I am truly thankful for my parents. So many wouldn’t allow their kids to go straight from high school into places known for extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, and sex trafficking. They see that this isn’t something I’m doing just to travel, I’m doing this because God has placed me on this path and I’m so blessed to know that my parent’s are encouraging me to follow His plan for my life.
2019
I’ve told y’all how I found the World Race, but I haven’t really told the why. The reason I am doing this is because I have a heart for service. I am called to live a life that honors those who are broken, lost and seeking refuge. While this desire can be achieved by any sort of humanitarian trip, my passion for loving those who are suffering is a love that comes straight from the Father. I am not doing this because of the way I feel, I am doing this because God has given me a piece of his heart that sees the brokenness in our world and cannot just sit by and ignore it.
When I think of all of the things I’m abandoning; my friends, my family, the familiarity of Lake Highlands, I almost get paralyzed by fear. Leaving all the things I love for a life I know nothing about is terrifying. But I can’t pretend like a piece of my heart isn’t yearning for something more with my life.
As I’m writing this blog, I can’t get Isaiah 61 out of my head.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”
I cannot wait to experience real life on the race. I am excited to grow in my faith and invite change into my life. And as scary as it may be, I’m ready to abandon the life I’ve created for myself. A life that is lived alongside the Lord is one I crave, and I truly believe that a year of complete service and devotion to my faith will set me up for a life time of discipleship.
I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for the support, whether financial or spiritual. Through this season of fundraising, I have connected with so many people who I thought had forgotten me or would be hesitant to help. My community is larger than ever and my heart has grown with it. I would have never guessed that so many people believed in me, and I will never find the correct words to express my gratitude.
Thank you for reading this blog! As always, questions and conversations are encouraged! Peace and blessings <33
Love,
Sydney
