Why am I here? What does the Lord have for me? What is the purpose in this season? 

We were encouraged to ask ourselves these questions shortly after getting to base, and I realized something quite funny. I have been so consumed with this season and this journey God is calling me to. I have constantly been focused on how good God is, fear, excitement, stress, raising money, packing, preparing myself, and saying goodbye. One day hasn’t past in the last year where I haven’t thought of The World Race; however, I have forgotten to simply ask Jesus “why?”. I hadn’t paused long enough to focus on His purpose in this. 

SO

I have started to ask the “Why?” questions to the Lord. 

Why am I here Lord? What do you have for me?

And He responded…”This season is your invitation to jump into the fire.”

Later, I started reading the only book I brought on the race, Wildfires by Jessi Green (I will share much more about this amazing person and book later!!). In the book, Jessi asks you to ask God, “What do I look like fully alive?” I did this…and God showed me I will be fully alive when I am completely ignited. (He showed me much more, but that is for another time.) Over time and piece by piece the Lord has connected it all. I just read through my journal (it is already a fifth of the way full…and I have only been writing in it for 10 days ;)) and the Lord started to show me how not only has He been unraveling the amazing purpose He has for me in this season, but He has also shown me that everything in my life has prepared me for this season…He has given me truth and a foundation…He has given me experiences and healing…He has given me dreams and passions…He has given me boldness and trust…AND NOW, in this season, HE IS IGNITING IT ALL. 

A few things I have learned about the fire so far:

1. God is represented as fire many times in the Bible (Exodus 3:2-3 and Exodus 13:21) 
2. The Holy Spirit (God with us) comes and rests on us as fire (Acts 2:3-4)

THEREFORE: to jump in the fire…to be set on fire…to ignite others with our flame…WE must know Him. We have to be completely surrendered and fall completely in love with God. We can not be on fire if we do not know the One that is fire and gives fire. 

1. The fire is not for us…but it was given to us so we can give to others
2. There is a cost to jump in the fire. It is scary. It is vulnerable. It involves so much trust and surrender, but He is simply worth it all. 

I would much rather feel uncomfortable living a life on fire for God than living a comfortable life that doesn’t allow me to experience the fullness of God. This isn’t to say that I am greater or that anyone in a different season is less…it is simply to express that I am desperate for more of Him, and I think others might be too. So I wanted to share the flame that is starting to stir in me, in hopes that it might stir your’s too.

I am so excited to share all the puzzle pieces and share the amazing ways the Lord has confirmed this in me, but for now I want to leave by saying this…

We can all be invited to jump in the fire. If you feel that spark…seek Him more than you ever have. Pray the bold prayers. Hold things loosely. Answer the call. Prepare to jump in. 

SO much more to come. This is just the beginning. 

All my love…praying for every heart that reads this,

Abigail Grace Criqui :)