Eleven months long going to eleven countries. That statement in and of itself is a lie, I’m only in month 3 and I have been to 5 countries nay 6 if you count the Istanbul airport as being in Turkey. I couldn’t imagine a greater opportunity for myself, or could I? The late night Taco Bell runs, my favorite Americano from the MudHouse, screaming Manchester Orchestra at the top of my lungs with my best friend. The times that I found mundane or normal have become like little treasures to me. For the first time in my life I have a new understanding of the term the grass is greener on the other side. As I sat in the midst of my “normal” life at home I always thought to myself, “I cant wait to go on the race so I can finally….” fill in the blank with any bold statement you may. So now that I am on the World Race I find myself saying things like, “man when I get home I can’t wait to really appreciate what I have, really make a difference in my town.”
Have you noticed a theme yet? I keep looking forward to the next thing, even in the midst of my life long dream I cant help but look forward to the next step. I have to continually laugh at myself for how ridiculous my thought patterns can be. Now if I tell you this you can’t judge me for it ok? Good I’m glad I can trust you. So as you may have guessed the World Race cost money, and not a small amount either, $15,500 to be exact. Another fun fact is that I am not yet fully funded; As of today my account sits at roughly 10,800. Fundraising is a big part of how we all are able to be here on this incredible journey. With home beckoning me to my next adventure a truly appalling thought kept creeping in my head. So if I decide Id rather be home what would be my best excuse? Well money would be a good one, so here is the plan. I wont fundraise I will just keep quite for another month or two until I really decide I want to be here. If I do not and I want to go home I will just wait until the financial deadline and the World Race staff will send me on my way. It is a perfect plan right? I know I am absolutely mad.
But these thoughts are inherently evil. They like to bore their way into my mind and start to fester in the quite places of my heart. They are not always present but they like to creep out at the most inconvenient times. But that is the way the devil likes to work isn’t it? He is entertained by turning our biggest dreams into our most daunting nightmares. So what is the proper response to attacks like this? How can I possibly fight away myself?
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (esv)
God called me to go on the World Race, that much I am certain of. God is also a pretty smart guy and was aware that this was an 11 month trip. He calls us to greatness and wants us to succeed. I know he would never call me to quit and has lessons in store for me to learn. There is just as much that I need to learn month 3 as there is month 11 and I am not willing to miss out on that.
