A tiny blonde girl, sporting a life jacket, races past her Dad perched on the edge of a pontoon to cannonball into a lake. She squeals at the victory of being the first one in the water. Then she quickly hugs the side of the boat, thinking about the sharks circling below. “They’re definitely down there,”she believes. As her Dad jumps in, she slowly loosens her grip on the slippery boat as her real protection arrives.
A mom enrolls this same small, stubborn girl in a summer program with two available activities: dance or baseball. The girl notices the swarm of little girls around an elegant dance teacher and the clumps of boys crowding a smiling baseball teacher. Without hesitation she heads off to baseball class with head held high. No more than 15 minutes pass before a baseball flies out of control and bonks her on the head. She fights tears while walking around in a circle holding her head, claiming she is “a-okay”. One hand raises to make the “okay” sign. She finally sits down before bursting into tears.
The baseball teacher kindly holds her hand and leads her off the field to a phone to call her mom.
“Sage,” the baseball teacher says, “I’m proud that you tried baseball class.”
The little girl’s sniffles merge into a huge grin. “Me too” she agrees.
Hi! I’m Sage. I’m a storyteller.
I heard God calling me to Himself above the plans I had laid. No matter how I twisted my future career ideas to fit into serving God, I always got the same response in prayer. I am first.
I’ve always known what I wanted to do: filmmaking. My plan was to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the fall of 2020 for film school, but God radically flipped my life upside down.
I heard the call to missions in June that year and decided to say “yes”, but never took the time to dwell on the choice I had made. (Read my blog about why I am going on the race for more on that! It’s a crazy story.) He is taking my head-strong personality and asking me to look to Him for answers and guidance. I have strong passions and God has become the leader of all of them.
Previously I attended the University of Northwestern for two years, pursuing a film degree. I loved my time there because the community was close-knit; we all encouraged each other. But there was not enough on-set experience and focused career building, so I left. I learned and achieved much there. I also went through the worst emotional 5 months of my life, but that journey to the bottom of my sea, in the belly of a giant fish as it were, sparked a new life and spiritual revival. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me…” Galatians 2:20
Last spring, I took some classes at a local Community College: Songwriting, Vocal Acting, and Meditation and Mindfulness. I live for reaching outside of my comfort zone and trying new things.
I thought I knew what I wanted to do through film, but I had put my plan first and God’s second. The biggest thing I’m learning now is to wait on the Lord; listening and trusting. He has created me specifically for a purpose and I continually remind myself to stop crafting the purpose I think He has for me and instead wait and listen.
I am excited see how God changes me into a new creation that holds onto His truths. And, I am filled with anticipation to discover how God uses me, stripped of my former filmmaker identity, to build a new “Sage”.
Lately, I pursue God with everything I am and when I veer and begin to live for another idol, God gently (or sometimes not so gently) pulls me back to Himself. I’ve kept my eyes peeled for discipleship and went on autopilot until the third week of June when my life was reintroduced to The World Race. I turn 21 on July 18th, 2020 and am beyond excited to jump into this unknown, beautiful, safe-yet-challenging new adventure.
The great outdoors is my friend. I love rock climbing and camping. Nature is the no. 1 way I connect with my creator. If creation sings His praises SO WILL I!
Media has a huge impact on the secular world, and it is the influence I have been given a passion for. After having known what I wanted to do since I was 10, I’m started from scratch in regard to what my part in film/tv/media looks like. Not knowing the future of my influence is a part of my journey.
Music is also an important part of my life, like the blood in my veins. I am so grateful for this outlet of expression. I am bringing a guitar on the race. I work through things by blurting out my thoughts, so it works well for songwriting.
My last passion is people. I love people so much! Simply speaking of my family and community in Christ moves me to tears. I love meeting new people and I love listening to people. I honestly believe human beings aren’t heard as often as they deserve. Everyone is reaching out for love and attention and if I can be the one to model Christ’s love and attention for them, it is the best blessing I can receive! The rewards of listening are tremendous. People unfold themselves if you give them the space and opportunity. It’s beautiful thing.
