Many of you might be wondering why I’m going on the World Race. Why would I want to leave everything behind for 11 months?
My “why” story all started about 2 years ago. One of my friends from college and I were having a conversation about mission trips when she mentioned the World Race to me. She told me that she had a friend who was on the World Race and that she could see me doing the same. I pulled up the website on my phone and read all about it. I thought it sounded absolutely amazing, but then I saw how long it was and how much it cost. I told her, “there’s no way I could go on one of these mission trips, it costs way too much money, and it’s for almost an entire year!” We talked about it for a couple more minutes, but the conversation eventually died down. After the conversation I remember, for months, looking up other mission trips that I could go on that didn’t cost as much. I found many good options but none of them felt right.. like I knew they weren’t meant for me. Fast forward about a year later to spring 2019; that same friend and I were on our way to a Chi Alpha conference. An ad for the World Race had recently popped up on my Instagram. I asked my friend about the World Race again and told her I saw an ad for it online. We talked about it for a while and my friend shared with me all of the stories of her friend who had gone on it. After our conversation, the World Race never left my mind. I thought and prayed about it constantly. The website was always opened on my phone and my computer. I would look at the different routes available and watch people’s World Race vlogs on YouTube, all the time. The length (11 months) of the World Race didn’t really bother me anymore like it had (or like I had said) the previous year. The cost of the World Race was still super scary for me. Fundraising and support raising was something I thought I would never have to do and honestly, the thought of it made me super uncomfortable. But for some reason, I was so drawn to the World Race and it was something I thought about daily. I prayed for God to give me answers and clarity to know for sure whether or not this is something I need to do. Every time I’d ask God for clarity He would give it to me. Whether it was through a song or a verse or through what someone was saying… I always got the same answers… “Go” or “trust Me.” Even though I tried to make up excuses for why this mission trip would not be a good idea for me, God would always end up finding a way to convince me otherwise. God showed me Philippians 4:6-7 during a time of doubt and confusion and I believe these verses played a huge part in knowing the World Race was something I needed to do. Philippians 4:6-7 says “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I prayed for months about the World Race and for God to give me clarity. As time went on I felt more and more confident that God was calling me to do the World Race. Another verse the Lord provided me with through a daily devotional I read was Isaiah 30:21. This verse said “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” Knowing that no matter what excuse I came up with, on why the Race might not be for me, God would redirect my mind and focus on Him. What He wanted me to do was always made clear, I just needed to listen to Him and trust Him and His timing. I looked into some of the Race routes that left in January 2020 and also August 2020 (before the October route was posted). They were all great routes but I had other things that were keeping me from going on either of the January or August routes. I prayed to God and asked Him that if He really wants me to go on the World Race… to make a race available for me that doesn’t interfere with anything (timing-wise). Less than a week later the October route came up! The timing was perfect and I knew this was the route for me. This was also God’s way of telling me to trust Him.
These last 7 months have been a learning experience for me. Reflecting back on them, God has shown me just how faithful He really is through so many situations. He has also been teaching me a lot about having faith in not just Him but also His timing. Trusting the process and His timing is so important. We are not in control of our own lives, God is. We shouldn’t be discouraged when something doesn’t go the way we want it to. Continue to pray about it and have faith in the Lord and He will show up. That is just a glimpse of what I have learned during these last few months. Something else that God has been teaching me about lately is obedience. Looking back, I can’t tell you how many times in college I said “no” to God. I would say “no” to going and eating with a stranger in the cafeteria or walking up to someone and introducing myself. I wasn’t obedient to God because it would have required me to step out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I wonder what could have come out of those situations and I regret not being obedient to God.
The World Race and the process leading up to the World Race is full of discomfort (personally) and I believe that is even more of a reason God is calling me to do it. Through many months of prayer and many lessened learned I have decided to step out of my comfort zone and say “yes” to God. I believe God has a lot to teach me throughout these next 2 years and I am so excited to learn and grow as a person.
Thank you to everyone who read my “why” post and let me share my heart with you. It means so much to me to know that you were willing to click on this blog and learn more about why I decided to commit to the World Race. I’m excited to grow in my relationship with God and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. There will be many more blogs to come so that you can follow along on this journey with me. I can’t wait to go out and share the Lord’s love and faithfulness with people all around the world. The Bible tells us in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”. On the World Race, I will be about to do exactly that all for the glory of His kingdom! I’m so excited the Lord has provided the opportunity for me to go on the World Race.
If you are willing to support me through prayer I would greatly appreciate it. Please pray for my team and me to be prepared and equipped, spiritually, emotionally and physically so that we are ready for the Race in October. Pray that I stay continuously growing and learning in my relationship with the Lord. Please pray that I achieve financial goals so that I am able to fully participate in the Race. Please pray that I have peace and comfort in stepping out of my comfort zone. If you feel led to support me financially, please take some time to think it over and pray about it first. If you still feel led to do so have spending time thinking it over and in prayer, I would love to talk to you about it. Know that any amount you are willing/able to give is very appreciated. If you have any questions or if you want to talk to me more about what I will be doing on the World Race or how to financially support me, feel free to reach out to me. I would love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. Thank you again for reading my first blog post and thank you in advance for those of you who are praying for me! I really appreciate all of the love and support!
Love,
Brianne
