This time next week I’ll be on a plane headed to Johannesburg, South Africa. Every time someone hears that I’m going to South Africa, they say, “Wow, you’re going to South Africa. I really hope to go there one day. It’s on my bucket list of places to visit”. Then they ask, “Why are you going to South Africa?” The typical response I give is, “I’m going for work.”
While this is true, there is more to the story
In June, I received an email from a colleague (who lives in New Orleans, LA) that said, “FYI… The Application Deadline is soon.” The email contained information about a Summit that was being held in South Africa and travel grants were being provided to widen and diversify participation to the Summit. I immediately read through the email and decided… there was no need for me to apply. People from all over the world will be applying.
I will never get selected to receive the grant
A few days later, I was talking ith a good friend and told her about the email I received. I told her, “I’m not going to apply for the grant because there is NO WAY I’ll be selected – NO WAY.” My friend said to me, “Karris, you are qualified to receive this grant. You have the experience and expertise they are looking for. You have to apply. You have to try.”
The truth is… I’m afraid of “applying” for things that appear out of reach. Things that stretch me beyond my comfort zone. Things that require me to venture to the unknown. I prefer the safe, the already traveled, the guaranteed
The day the application was due I was working remotely at Starbucks. I couldn’t decide what to do. Part of me was feeling brave and wanted to apply. The other part of me was afraid and didn’t want to take the risk. The risk of applying and never hearing back from anyone.
And then I remembered… It’s 2016. The year of doing things differently. The year of stepping out and taking risks. My friend was right. I’m just as qualified as the next person – I must try
I completed the application and hit SUBMIT. I was proud of myself. Even if I didn’t get the grant, I was happy I went for it – happy I tried.
A few months later, I found out that I received the grant
I’m so THANKFUL for friends that push me past my fears. Even when I feel like the “things” I’m striving for are out of reach, they’re always there to remind me that I’m qualified, worthy, and capable of doing all the things that God asks of me. They never let me settle for the mediocre, the mundane, or the monotonous. They remind me that God is calling me to greater things.
The truth is… I have so many more things to “apply” for in life
Lord, I pray for the wisdom and courage to always hit SUBMIT…
