I’ve written plenty of blogs in my life, but still not actually sure how to start one. I guess I’ll start by saying… Hey, I’m Sydney. A senior in high school who loves Jesus a whole lot and is taking a big leap of faith to say YES to the World Race!
I found my love for missions when I was thirteen. It was my first ever mission trip, and I flew to Haiti without a family member by my side. There I truly experienced the presence of Jesus for the first time, and I was hooked. I knew that I wanted to travel the world and tell people about Jesus. But there were two problems… 1. I wasn’t sure how that was going to look and 2. I didn’t know if that was my own hearts desire, or if thats where Jesus was calling me.
Fast forward to July of this year. I was in the Dominican Republic serving on a short term mission trip. I was sitting alone and processing over the week and I just realized that this wasn’t something that my own flesh desired. Missions was something that the Lord had put on my heart. So, two weeks after I got home I decided to look up the world race. I ran down my stairs as fast as I could and told my Mom that I needed her to initial something for me. I quickly told her what I was doing and then finished with my spontaneous application for the world race! I know what you’re thinking… “Sydney this is a life changing thing. You shouldn’t just spontaneously apply for something like this. You need to pray about it and get wise counsel from your family and friends.” But, when Jesus tells you to do something you do it. When he puts something on your heart, you chase it. I’ve been praying about missions for the past 4 years. I knew that this was for me the second I typed ‘The World Race’ into my search bar.
So now here I am. Writing this blog a month and a half after I got accepted to go on the world race. Now that I’ve told you about the exciting part of this journey, I want to tell you about the not so fun parts. My goal is to be as honest and vulnerable as I can be. I never want to sit behind a computer screen and pretend that life is all exhilarating and fun now that I’ve been accepted, because thats not the reality. The reality is that Satan doesn’t want this. He doesn’t want me to be gone for 9 months telling people about how awesome my God is. I’ve seen so many of my fellow World Racers post about all they’re doing to prepare for the World Race, and that makes me so excited for them! However, I’ve felt as if I haven’t been doing enough. I haven’t started my fundraising. I’ve only posted about it once, just to be like “Hey I’m not going to college next year because I got accepted into the World Race Gap Year program”. Thats about it. I’ve really only talked about it with close family and friends. The devil has been whispering little lies in my head. Things such as “Theres no way you’re going to fundraise enough money”, “You’re not called to do this. You’re making a bad decision”, or “Life is going to keep happening back home, and you will miss out on all of it”. Theres so many more little things he’s been whispering into my ear. And to be honest, I believed him for a little bit. I thought I wasn’t doing enough. I kept thinking of all the things I’ll be missing out at home. Instead I need to be thinking about all the amazing things I will experience while gone! All the beautiful faces I will meet. All the things I will see Jesus do! It’s gonna be so amazing! So, to any world racers that are reading this, and maybe can relate. You’re not alone. Don’t listen to the lies he is putting into your head. It’s going to be amazing. You are going to grow so much and have such amazing stories to tell for the rest of your life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s probably going to be hard at some points. But, we all have each other to lean on. And best of all we’ve got Jesus. John 15:16 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 abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” YOU ARE CHOSEN! HE PUT YOU HERE! DO NOT DOUBT OR WORRY!!!
Oh, and to anyone who’s not going on the race, but who can maybe relate to any of the things I’ve been feeling lately… you’re also not alone. Lean on Jesus to get you through this time. Start writing down truths to counteract those lies. the Bible says this, “ Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love….” Ephesians 1:4. You were chosen. Your life has purpose. Wherever you’re at, he is there with you! Do not doubt his creation!
You are all so loved, and I’m so thankful that I’m able to share my heart with you people! I truly cannot wait for this adventure! If anyone would like to partner alongside me, you can do this by subscribing to this blog, praying, and/or donating! I’m going to be doing some fundraisers soon, so keep looking out for my instagram post! Or you can donate directly through my website! Thank you for taking your time to read this and please be praying for my squad!
Love,
Sydney
p.s. if you don’t already know the countries I chose… go check out my recent instagram post to find out! @sydney.amelia
