A real-life story about listening to God, disobedience, and total redemption.
I was 33 and thirsty for adventure ALL THE TIME to distract myself from fear. Brandon and I had just gotten married. I didn't know what I wanted or what my true purpose was. I had searched for it in ballet, in entrepreneurship, in fashion, and in adventure. I've known Jesus since I was very young, but I was not hanging out with Him often. I knew the Bible well, but I didn't take it into myself as THE TRUTH.
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So, here's Brandon and me on an impromptu adventure at his favorite hot springs in Mammoth. About this time I made a HUGE decision without asking my Abba about it. And if I'm being honest, without *really* talking to Brandon. I mostly just INFORMED him of what I would do the next summer.
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I agreed to participate in the Mongol Rally which is a crazy driving "race" in a miniscule hatchback where there are no winners. It starts in Southern England and ends in Eastern Mongolia. 10,000 miles depending on how you decide to get there. About 10 weeks. There are no rules other than the tiny car, and when I say tiny I mean the engine is under 1 liter.
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After I agreed to do the rally 3 things changed in my life:
1) I started spending time with my Creator regularly.
2) We got a dog.
3) I discovered how much we loved being married.
About 3 months before the rally, when I was fully committed to the rally, I had a moment. I felt/heard the Spirit whisper,
"Did you ask about doing this?"
No.
"Ask. It's not too late to ask."
So I asked, "Should I do the rally, Lord?" And the answer?
"No."
Well, crap.
“Ok, so what do I do now, Lord?”
He said, “You have a choice. You can go or not go. It’s totally up to you. Thank you for asking, and no, this is not what’s best for you, but I know you’ve made commitments, so I’ll take care of you either way.”
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I chose to go. I trusted He would take care of me since He had said it was up to me.
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July 9th, 2016 I flew to the UK. From one angle it was spectacular.
1. I lived out of a backpack for 10 weeks which is one of my favorite things!
2. Fell IN LOVE with Pula, Croatia and *almost* stayed there.
3. Learning a traditional folk dance at an ancient Turkish market.
4. Watching the hot air balloons fly in Cappadocia, Turkey.
5. Exploring a waterfall in Iran and it’s WONDERFUL people imprisoned by a tyrannical government.
6. The Door to Hell in Turkmenistan: the creepiest country ever.
7. Khiva, Uzbekistan where I found out that the Old Silk Road is REAL.
8. Crashing an Uzbek wedding with some French girls in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
9. Finally making it to the most spectacularly beautiful country: Mongolia.
10. Crossing the Finish Line in Ulan-Ude Russia.
But what you can’t see in the pictures is what God was trying to protect me from. Daily emotional trauma from a team-mate. I won't explain because 1) I’ve made the decision to forgive. 2) Unless you witnessed it there’s no way to explain it. The finances were so stressful; I had to spend money I didn’t have. But the worst was missing Brandon. I missed his 40th birthday. I missed Thora’s 1st birthday. I missed a lot in 10 weeks that can’t be put into words.
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September 9th, 2016 I made it home. Emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. Totally broke. Relieved to see Brandon and Thora. I had essentially decided to quit the business I had built, and was now scrambling for work. These were consequences I felt I deserved and so had to suffer through.
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BUT GOD.
There’s no end to His goodness and this is not the end of the story.
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2016 into 2017 I was struggling. I started studying what the Bible says about me. That there is NO condemnation for those who are in Jesus - EVEN WHEN YOU DESERVE IT. (Romans 8:1-2) That no matter what I get myself into He is able to REDEEM me from it (Ephesians 1:7), and my FAITH transferred God’s righteousness to me (Romans 5:1) so that I would be able to living glorifying Him! (Hebrews 12:1).
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I had to make my mind obedient to the Word. It. Wasn’t. Easy. It was a minute by minute decision to focus on His Truth and keep my eyes off everything else. A constant battle to compare all my thoughts with His thoughts and NOT believe the thoughts that were found to be untrue.
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Fall 2017 I was starting to “reprogram” from chaos, lack, and fear to His peace, abundance, and FAITH. Slowly, I started to see the mental and emotional healing. That’s when I started Every Day Faith!
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In summer 2018 I enrolled in a Growth Coaching course, studied plasticity, and got organized with my time in order to make daily time for the Word. Also got organized in my finances to start paying off rally debt and make ends meet - and God PROVIDED.
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By 2019 Every Day Faith was a THING, God fully paid off all my Mongol Rally dept, and He provided for all of my financial needs above and beyond. And there was healing in my whole person.
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It’s 2020 and I’m THRIVING in Him and I get to look back at the Mongol Rally and PRAISE Him for the good! Like Megan meeting her HUSBAND! Like getting to see exotic, beautiful, and fascinating places, and learning how to be a savvy traveler.
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He didn’t hold me to what I had earned, but redeemed me from my consequences! (Romans 3:23-25) His grace is bigger than we can imagine. It is BY grace THROUGH faith (Ephesians 2:8) that I am part of the ABUNDANT blessings of Abraham! (Romans 4:25)
