How this Journey has Changed My Life

I knew the World Race was something I needed to do. I found it about 4 years ago and immediately fell in love with it. I looked forward to graduating and eventually going on this trip. I thought about the amazing countries I would be going to, the thought of filling my passport even more, and ultimately being in the 10/40 window. It had been my desire at the time to go to the unreached people groups. I didn’t have one specific country, though; I liked all of them, so I thought this could be the best opportunity to find out if there was a country God specifically had for me.

This has been a long journey, but one that’s well worth it! This is where Jenna Watry took a killer picture of walking up a volcano. Seeing others’ skills and abilities on this journey has been truly incredible.

All of that is what I expected to learn and understand; little did I know that God had a whole different plan for me. Adonai wanted to teach me so much more than I was expecting. He wanted to tear down all the walls I had built up around me and remove my self-defense mechanisms. Jehovah has been challenging me and growing me like crazy.

My journey began with walls being forced down. I was asked to lead worship along with Sarah. It was something I was never expecting to do in my life honestly, but apparently, Jehovah had a different plan. We also started out with the merging of two teams, apparently, we loved each other enough to do a band picture together as you can see on the right lol.

It started with Him teaching me my real identity, not the one that the world had given me. My Father and King gently reminded me that I am His son, adopted and grafted into His family. He changed how I viewed my voice. I no longer see it as a burden upon others but a gift given to me. My understanding of community has shifted; I no longer desire to have others be vulnerable with me but that I have an opportunity to be vulnerable with them. Loving others well means being willing to extend your heart out, again and again, knowing that you could get hurt again because that is what God tells us. The King of Kings says, “I Love You,” knowing that we will not listen to Him or reciprocate that Love. There’s nothing expected in return. That’s the same Love He asks us to display. He is Jehovah Jireh; there’s nothing else to add. Abba made me enough because I am in Him, therefore, there’s nothing I need to add or subtract to be complete when I am in Him.

There’s so much I could say about how this journey has changed my life, but ultimately it showed me that taking Him and His Word seriously will drastically change your life. I no longer need or seek the affirmation of others because I am solidified in who He calls me. I now see that I was made to Love as He is Love; no external circumstances will change that.

We have learned so much about what intimacy with the Father has looked like. This is potentially one of the best pictures I have captured truly displaying what that looked like. It has been a daily time in scripture, wrestling, resting, and time with our heavenly Father.

I am not saying that the World Race is NEEDED for all this to happen, but I will say it expedited and showed me how to do it well. The World Race isn’t for everyone. If you’re not ready for Life Transformation, I wouldn’t suggest this. But if you’re willing to learn and lay down your desires, then this journey is for you. Sign up and see what God can do with your Yes!