This is a question that I have been asked a whole lot in this season I’m in. “Why are you doing the World Race?” “Why these countries?” “Why now?” and so on and so on. So, since I’m going to be leaving for launch in exactly a month (i’m sorry what??? that’s crazy) I thought I would take some time to answer some of these questions and share a little bit of my heart!
Why did you decide to do the Race?
The World Race has been something I’ve thought about doing since my sister did it in 2013. Her journey, even though it was far from perfect, sparked my interest. When I started to get closer to college graduation this past year, I began to converse with God about what my next step was. The World Race never once left my mind, I knew it was what I wanted.
If you know me at all, you would know that decisions are not my most favorite thing in the world (hehe). So, I decided to let God decide. I released all of my desires for what post-grad life would look like and I gave God a codeword. I chose the most obscure word I could think of and I told the Lord, “ok, if you want me to do this World Race thingy, our codeword is Pom-Pom. Tell it to me and I will do it.”.
The occurrences of the word Pom-Pom in my life started small but obvious. Over the course of a week I found a random mini pom-pom on the sidewalk, I came across instagram posts with pom-poms in them and the word came up in random conversations. But I denied all of these. One night before YoungLife club, exasperated and extremely impatient, I was like, “ok God, what the heck? are you gonna tell me the word pom-pom or what?”. I always laugh when I look back at my journal entry from this day. We are so naive and unaware of God’s plan. I was unashamedly putting God in a box that catered to my desires and my ideas of how He was supposed to work, so freakin’ silly! But anyway, I went to YoungLife and we sang songs and played games like always. Charades was the game of choice that night and whaddaya know, the word pom-pom flashed up on the giant wide screen at the front of the room. I immediately started laughing and I’m sure God was chillin’ up in heaven, arms crossed like, “yeah, what I tell ya?”. Ever since that night I have been 100% on board for the Race. I gave God control and He seamlessly worked out all of the other details like timing, my work/living situation and finances. All He needed was my “yes”.
Why the World Race? – God’s Promise
Something that I’ve been wanting to implement more in my life is focusing my future on God’s promises. I do this through words for the year, verses for seasons of my life or just by simply asking God what He has in store. These things are so useful for big life changes, like the World Race, because it gives us something to cling to when we doubt His faithfulness or we get discouraged or scared. It’s like a heavenly vision board for your life! I asked God what His promises were for the World Race and I thought I would share –
He said, “I promise growth and unexpected community. A fresh start and a new you. You will discover new spiritual gifts and press into gifts you know you have. I promise adventure and excitement. So so much joy, sadness and mourning for the lost. I promise a heart for missions, a new passion, new found confidence and a solidified purpose.”So if you’re ever wondering why I’m so super excited for the World Race, this is why. God’s promises for the next year are huge and (lucky me) He never goes back on His word! His promises will always and forever be far better than my expectations.
Why do a mission trip? – My Verse and Mantra
“And so that we would know for sure that we are his true children, God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts— moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! You’re our true Father!” Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has— for we are heirs of God through Jesus, the Messiah!” (Galatians 4:6- 7 NLT)No Heart Unseen
Along the same lines of God’s promise is the verse and mantra that I picked to focus on over the next year. Within these words is my purpose for doing what I’m doing. To put it simply, I want God’s children to discover their true Father. I want the Father to reveal to them all of the good He has in store for their lives. I want them to feel and truly experience the Father’s love and I will do whatever He needs me to do to spread this truth until no heart is unseen. God sees us for who we are in the depths of our hearts. I pray that He would give me His eyes to see people for who they are – His children. And I pray that He would give me His wisdom to help these children discover their sonship. God’s promises and the ways that I will grow in the next year come second to my desire to see more children discover their true, heavenly home. We will not rest until No Heart is Unseen.
I hope that this helps to shed some light on my heart and hopes for this next year! As always, if you have more questions, please email me or call me or something 🙂 so so thankful for y’all and all of your support!
Much love and many blessings,
Annie 🙂
Annie, instead of Why, I say Why Not?
I can tell your team is awesome! A Divine Order “selection”.
Yes, God is always faithful. It’s us humans who waver and have doubts. Then to refocus, redirect we get back on track and are guided in His righteousness.
He wants us to be the most and best we can be…only wanting good for us…and give Him thanks for all blessings. We have the opportunity to live His truth/be His truth. What a deal!
Love you bunches,
JJ
I loved reading this and being reminded of your “pom-pom” story! I can’t wait to live in God’s promises and faithfulness together next year. 🙂
I appreciate your heart and you are an encourager!
“Focusing your future on God’s promises” is such a great perspective, Annie. He will deliver on His promises; He always does (usually in ways — and timing — we don’t expect). It will be fun to watch how His plans for you unfold.
“He has given us great and precious promises…the promises that enable you to share his divine nature”
2 Peter 1:4 NLT
Annie! There’s so much I love about this blog—that you and the Lord laugh together, that you have “themes” and words He lays on your heart, and that your desire is to see and love as He does. I’m so excited to see all that the Lord does in and through you on the journey ahead. Love you, dear heart!