It was month 3 of my race, in the
Philippines, when Robby Riggs, my original squad leader, looked us each in the
eye and asked, “What is the cry of your heart?� I remember sitting there, almost stunned by the depth and
significance of the words he spoke. The next few days, this question was tossed back and forth in
my spirit and mind as I strained to answer. The truth was, in that season, I didn’t know what the cry of
my heart was, what it beat for moment by moment. I was a passionate person going through life without an
intentional focus to all that I had to offer. I was a person who had influence and the ability to impact
those around me, but I lacked a focused vision, thus making me scattered and
ineffective. Everyone has
something in them that drives them, that makes them get up everyday, a reason
and purpose that they are on this earth, and yet I had never taken the time
consider what that was for me personally.
Today,
writing this from Antigua, Guatemala in my first week of squad leading, the cry
of my heart is precise, specific, and clear. I have realized there is nothing more that I want than to
see my generation know who they are in Christ and live lives of significance
for the Kingdom of God. I desire
them to walk with authority, boldness, passion, and freedom that comes from
knowing what it truly means to be a son and daughter of God. To be a part of a generation that knows
that God is alive and He moves in us and though us on this earth today.
In
Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with God.
He struggles with the Lord all night and at the end of their parting he
is left with a limp and a new name.
He was given a new identity in the Lord and couldn’t walk anywhere with
out the reminder that he had a powerful collision with God. That is what I pray desperately for my
squad, that this year they have a face-to-face encounter with the Lord and will
never ever be the same because of it.
I pray that their very identity would be shaken to the core so the Lord
can rename them. Jacob’s very name
meant deceiver. I cry out that all
of the labels and lies we take on; worthless, incapable, ugly, untrustworthy,
impatient, unlovable, etc. are replaced by the ways God names us; beloved,
pure, capable, son/daughter, worthy, lovely, powerful, bringer of light and
love. I pray that even though there may be pain in the process, we walk with a
limp; that we may never be the same after an encounter with Him. I pray that everyone knows by the way
we walk we have been face to face with our God.
If Robby Riggs were here with me
today, I could look him in the eyes and tell him with confidence and boldness
what the cry of my heart is. I
have been blessed by his challenge to intentionally discover what my heart
beats for. I am grateful that even
though it was painful at times, I have wrestled with the Lord and walked away
with a limp and a new identity rooted in Him. I will leave you and challenge you with the very words that
were given to me.
What is the cry of YOUR heart?
Mac, Hope, and I: The Fearless Leaders of D Squad. So blessed to be walking out the cry of my heart with the two of them!
Quick Update:
Safe and sound in Antigua Guatemala. All of our teams have arrived at ministry locations! We successful survived launch and our
first travel day! J love love love to all
of you. Thank you for your support
and prayers.
