“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” – Jim Elliott
This past week I’ve had the privilege of being in Daytona Beach, Florida for a family vacation. As I sat on the white sand and let the waves crash over me I was reminded of some lyrics from a very powerful worship song;
“Spirit of God fall fresh on us
We need your presence
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
Here as in heaven
A miracle can happen now
For the spirit of the Lord is here
The evidence is all around
That the spirit of the Lord is here.”
In the wake of all the turmoil that is going on in this world those lyrics were placed heavily on my heart. The spirit of the Lord is here because the enemy is hard at work stirring up division and evil. What other reason would the enemy have for stirring up evil if he didn’t know an awakening was about to take place?
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is why I didn’t just sign up for an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries but I chose to risk all I have here to see God move in a dangerous world full of hungry souls.
The World Race isn’t thrills and frills. The World Race isn’t a group of young adults going on a fun trip across the world. The World Race isn’t something I chose. God called me to go and all I did was say “yes.” I’m not going on the World Race to have an adventure but to seek and see the heart of God work in my life and see His kingdom expand.
This journey I was called to has been challenging in many ways so far and I haven’t even left yet. The fundraising, the patience, and continuing to live my normal life before I leave have been exhausting. Of course, I’ve been able to see God work in my life in a lot of ways over the last few months but it reminds me of the harsher challenges I will face when I leave in January. As me and my team were talking the other day we all agreed that the dangers of terrorism, harsh environments, home sickness, and the fact that we are going to share the Gospel with people that may have never heard of it before are what drives all of us to this journey. I prayed that I wouldn’t settle for comfortable anymore and I realized that when I got accepted into the World Race that my prayers had been answered. Not everybody is called to go overseas and that is okay! Your community may look different than mine but there is one goal we must strive to achieve; raising people to life through Christ’s love!
There will be times of adventure in my 11 month journey. I may hike across mountains, I may scuba dive in beautiful clear waters, or I may enjoy having a night out trying different exotic foods with my team. There can be enjoyment in the small things but the reason I write this is to tell all of my prayer warriors and supporters that this calling is going to be dangerous and challenging in many different aspects but I want to pursue the heart of God like I never have before. I want to be challenged and I want my other teammates to be challenged to lay down our desires for His so we can overflow His love in to the hearts of all the people we face.
I would love your encouragement and prayers through these next months. I would also love your support whatever that may look like. Feel free to send me notes and prayers!
My address is:
12330 Oil Field Lane
Arlington, TN 38002
With love,
Tim
