Journal entry by Vicki Bunke 

It can start as that small feeling inside, leading you toward a path you never thought to travel. Maybe it’s the small voice that whispers in your mind to think toward a different perspective than the one you have now. Or, it could be hearing a clear message from God that you think isn’t possible. It can be tempting to ignore messages we don’t want to hear. But it’s important to be open to God’s messages in their various forms. Sometimes the message is a warning – “Stop that.” Sometimes it’s an encouragement – “You’re on the right path.” And other times it’s a nudge – “Get ready” followed by a command. Whatever the message, our job is to listen.

In the spring of 2019, I experienced a nudging followed by a command. Nothing earth shattering. I wasn’t nudged to change careers or join the Peace Corps. No, rather while sitting in an Emory University auditorium listening to Swim Across America-funded physicians discuss their researchers, I was nudged and then commanded to dedicate myself to swimming in 14 open water Swim Across America events. Initially, I wasn’t even sure if there were 14 open water events or if it would be possible to attend 14 of them. I just knew deep inside, it would work out.

And it has.

Not only has it worked out, but it has a name…The Amazing Grace Swim Across America Tour.

Last week, myself and others completed the second stop on the tour while others were back in Atlanta at a John Driskell Hopkins concert listening to them perform “I’ll Take You Home”  live for the first time. As shared here before, this song was inspired by Grace and is now the theme song for the docu-series, WaveMakers, created by Discovery Life for Swim Across America. Tonight, Episode 2 will share the story behind the inspiration for the Amazing Grace Swim Across America Tour and John’s song. It will air on Discovery Life at 8:00 PM. “I’ll Take You Home” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, SiriusXM, and other platforms with a portion of each download/purchase being donated to Swim Across America.

I’ve learned over the last handful of years and through this “tour,” that although most of us want to know what God is telling us, it’s not always easy hearing His voice or discerning the messages that may be right in front of us. Sometimes, we may even be anxious to discover His message or His purpose for our life. But let me assure you, God still speaks to us. It’s up to us to listen.

I made a video (shocker, I know) of our experience at the Swim Across America open water event in Detroit and the Friday night event in Atlanta. Here it is: What Is Your Purpose?

If you feel an underlying urge to do something bigger than yourself, to benefit the greater good without any need of reward, join us on The Amazing Grace Swim Across America Tour. Our next stop is July 24^th in Nantucket.

“I believe that any kind of life that is worth living must have a purpose…and if your commitments are not larger than what you can do by yourself, than it is unworthy of making that the purpose of your life.” (Dr. Randy Mickler)