Why the World Race?

Why are we going on the world race? 

 

Honestly? One of the more practical reasons is that the door has opened and neither of us has felt any warning in our spirit, up to this point. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that we figured we could only dream about… And it has been made available to us through a series of events that we never thought would align as they did! From our age to the application deadline, to our two year wedding anniversary being just over a month before launch (it is required for married couples to be married at least two years before going on the World Race) – even to the month that our apartment lease ends, not one thing has hindered us or caused us to second guess if this is a decision within God’s will, so we are prayerfully walking in it unless He impresses something different on us.

Additionally, as mentioned multiple times in the book of Proverbs, there is wisdom, or “safety,” in the counsel of many. Every one of our “counselors,” or mentors had complete peace and joy when we first expressed our interest in this venture to them. Several said that it felt like the answer to their specific prayers they’d been praying over us for some time. It is so sweet to see our Heavenly Father craft our story into what He has always intended it to be. 

 

To preface the primary reason, I really enjoy John 15 (bear with me, I promise there is a point). Recently, John 15:16 was highlighted in a short devotional Isaak and I are reading through about fundraising. It says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

 

Father, let our fruit remain.

 

The whole premise of the chapter is that Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches, and branches can not exist without the vine and the roots, let alone produce abundant fruit! It is not always as simple as solely “abiding” in the Lord, though it does include that. 

 

In verse two of the same chapter, Jesus says to His disciples, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

 

Prunes. Here is a “hypothetical scenario”: There once was a young couple that loved the Lord and aimed to glorify Him with their lives. They were far from perfect but were willing to be used by Him regardless, so they got married…Then, the wife experienced a flare-up of anxiety and insecurity. Snip. Then, both of their cars went out of commission permanently in the first two months of marriage. Snip. Then, they were consistently scheduled to work opposite shifts, enjoying as much quality time as they did when they lived in different parts of the country even though they shared the same bed. Snip. They received unexpected medical bills. Snip. They doubled the debt they began marriage with, from a car accident that was supposed to be covered by insurance. Snip… Snip… Snip! 

 

That was and IS us. But here’s the thing. I do not believe that the Lord was snipping away our joy or purposefully taking away things that made for smoother sailing, and I don’t believe He caused all of those obstacles! However, he did snap off an ugly branch of pride. And He drastically trimmed one of self-reliance, as well as one of security found in circumstances. And I believe that He stripped us of the branch of outward comfort so that joy could sprout in the midst of our heartache and frustration because unconditional joy is so much more lasting than happiness as a byproduct of ease. 

 

I believe that the Lord asks us to keep on walking in obedience and bountiful Fruit of the Spirit even when we feel like throwing a toddler tantrum. In the midst of my obstacles, I’ve had my share of those…Thank goodness His grace is abundant and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I could not be writing this for you if that were not the case, without fail, every single day of my life. So, we will continue to attempt to walk in obedience and He calls.

 

The last reason I will list is this: I think the Lord is going to bless us with an abundance of “togetherness,” partnership-building opportunities, and cherished memories as we see the world and meet more of His children! We are just thrilled and eager to grow alongside both each other and our team! We also anticipate the adventure that awaits us as we travel through, and witness God’s breath-taking creation in each country! 

 

All of this to say, I believe the Lord has called us to go on the World Race because He has been pruning us, readying us to bear fruit that we could never have born without our culmination of experiences. I am sure that the pruning process is nowhere near complete, but I am FILLED with anticipation to witness the kind of produce the Lord will yield through us, and I only pray that it blesses and tastes sweet to those that receive it. 

 

So thank you again for partaking in, partnering in, and holding us accountable to the kind of fruit by which we, and consequently our Heavenly Father, are known (Matthew 7:20)!