So, I’m not a typical blogger. I’ve been thinking lately about what my friends, family, and strangers at home reading these blogs actually know about this trip.
I’ve placed a heavy focus on the spiritual side of the journey and the change that has happened in my mind, heart, and soul. At many times, this side of the journey is difficult with growing pains, which may make the World Race seem like a rough time. I want to take some time to celebrate the beautiful change these difficulties have brought, as well as the other incredible aspects of the 9 months I’ve been on the World Race.
Lately I’ve been getting a lot of messages and questions from people who are planning to or thinking about going on the race. My response is the same thing that God shouted to me on January 3rd, 2017.
“Go!”
It’s simple. No matter what the initial motivation, no matter the reasons for hesitation, my answer will be “Go!” Its the single most incredible and life changing experience I could dream up. If everyone did it, this world might just be overcome with hope and love. Let me tell you why.
If you’re like me, the adventure and travel was enough to grab your attention. 11 new and amazing countries, cultures, sights, and stories. Even if this is your first motivating factor, my answer is still “Go!” There isn’t enough time to write blogs or post photos of all the amazing things I’ve seen and experienced. Natural and man-made wonders of the world, incredible massive cities with vibrant culture and food and kind hearts, followed by views of the natural world you couldn’t even imagine in a movie scene. Extra countries and adventures that you didn’t even know would be on your trip (Budapest, Bucharest, Thessaloniki, canyoning Mt. Olympus, Singapore, Cambodia, sunrise at Angkor Wat, Victoria falls, and more). Life changing things just through observation with the five senses. Even if that is your first desire from the World Race, I say “Go!” Because you’ll soon learn this trip goes far beyond the five senses.
Maybe you’re like me, you may have made some regrettable decisions, or even some really good ones, and you just want to take hold of a unique opportunity to find yourself. Maybe you are thinking there’s more to life than the American Dream, and you want to find different perspectives, have different experiences, and live a different way as a different person. You want to find some time to search deep in your soul and figure out who you really are and what you really want to do in this world. My answer is “Go!”
Maybe you’re like me, and you even want to help some people and make the world a better place. You aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty or sacrifice your time to get to know another human, hear his or her story, and offer whatever you can. Maybe you have an understanding that we can’t live this life on our own, and we are all meant to pitch in and help out our brother and sister. Maybe you’re a little wild and crazy, and you even want to help others before you help yourself. My answer is “Go!”
If you’re like me, these are probably factors in your motivation to go on the World Race. They were definitely factors for me. When I was preparing to go on the race, I was struggling. Dropped fresh out of college, struggling with substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, and having no idea who I was or where I was going. Yes, I was a believer and loved God since age 7, and I knew Him and His word through the Bible, but I was far from being an actual Christian, defined as “a little Christ”, someone who actually imitates and follows what Jesus did. If you’re like me, and you’ve spent any time in the American Church, you’re probably not far from being in the same boat.
See, it’s not a prerequisite to be a super-Christian, experienced missionary, ready to give up your life and pursue the Lord. Just Go! He will come to you.
And even if you are a strong Christian who understand what it means to surrender your life to follow Jesus and live out His commission, my answer is still “Go.”
“Go!” If you want to travel, adventure, and experience the world. You’ll see beautiful things, meet beautiful souls, and learn so much. You’ll see the world and make unforgettable memories, but you will also get to know it’s Creator in a deep new way you never thought possible.
“Go!” If you want to grow and find yourself. You’ll be challenged, you’ll learn how to live alongside others in healthy community, you’ll learn about yourself, your heart, and your motivations. You’ll face pain, struggles, and disappointment, alongside joy, fun, and fulfillment. You’ll search your soul and find your spirit. And then the Lord will find you, and you’ll want to give up yourself and have Him instead.
“Go!” If you want to help others and make the world better. You’ll meet more people than you can imagine, hear their stories, and meet their needs. You’ll help give hope for their struggles, help repair what is broken, help heal what is hurting, and help give love to those who need it. You’ll feed the hungry, clothe those who need clothing, serve those who need help, listen to those who need to speak, and you will certainly show love. You’ll also learn how to give them the one thing they need more than all others: the Truth and hope of their salvation in surrendering to and following Jesus.
I’ve come across people with nothing, people starving and hopeless, and I’ve given them food and water. I’ve also given them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you ask them or me, the answer of which thing they needed more is always the same. (It’s not food and water)
“Go!” If you are already close to God and following Jesus. You’ll grow so much, you’ll know Him so much more intimately, and you’ll become so much more like Christ. You’ll see miracles and Jesus will do them through you. You’ll see people saved, you’ll heal the sick and hurting and blind, you’ll cast out demons and free people from spiritual oppression, you’ll give hope to the hopeless, and you will literally change the world. You’ll learn how to make and lead disciples. You’ll learn how to preach the gospel. You’ll learn how to teach people and raise them up to live a life of purpose. You’ll learn what the Bible really means, what the church is really supposed to be, and what being a Christ follower really looks like.
The World Race isn’t for everyone. It isn’t easy. It isn’t a vacation. But it is amazing. It is worth it. And you don’t have to be on the World Race to learn these things or grow or help others or experience Jesus. Really you just have to surrender yourself and seek after Him, He will find you and show you.
No, you don’t have to go On the World Race.
But you should.
“Go!”
It’s what you were born to do.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
??Matthew? ?28:19?-20
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every human.’”
Mark 16:15
