We knew the time might come. I remember at both training camp and launch when the comment was made to the squad, “You will have to trust us in the popular and the unpopular decisions of the experience, trusting God’s got it.” When you’re in that honeymoon phase of this, those words don’t mean much. I’m sure the squad wondered what decisions could ever be made in that second category…
It was probably four weeks ago when that quiet voice of direction began to question Aaron and I on if things were really the best for the squad. Where was overall squad health? Were people exactly where they were meant to be? And most importantly, the question that rang the loudest was this: “Would you change teams if the answer was ever no?”
Three weeks ago we knew it would come. We had to change things up. The voice was loud and the direction clear. Aaron and my priority out here has to always be that of such love for the squad, that we would sacrifice them liking or understanding our decision. These 41 racers under our care are too important to us, and too called in His kingdom, to allow any fear on our part to keep us from the hard changes. And so it was decided; despite any potential uproar, teams would be changed.
Fast forward three weeks later when our Turkey debrief arrived. Our first night together as a family, Aaron and I announced the new squad leaders. From the beginning of the time out here, we knew part of our role would be raising up new leaders to lead the squad the remaining 8 months. And from launch, we knew pretty clearly it would be Dan Snyder and Brandy Chaffer. The anointing was all over them from the beginning. Every time we prayed about it, it was confirmed again to us that He was calling them into a greater role for the squad.
It was that same night that the announcement was made over the fact that just the next afternoon team changes would be made.
The next day was a blur on my end, but what I do remember more than anything is the movement of God among the squad. In those 20 hours of them waiting anxiously to find out who was moving where, God did something incredible among these 41 people: He made them a family. He took the six separate teams and bonded them together as a real family who, no matter what would happen, was doing this thing together.
I just sat back and watched as the entire squad changed before my eyes by the presence of God. And more than anything, I was just so honored to be among a group of people who are so willingly surrendering everything for more of Him.
While the team changes ended up being harder for some than others, there was always a collective sense that we’re in this thing together….and for the long haul. It was because Aaron and I believed so strongly that we received a clear direction and peace from the Lord on these decisions that we were able to walk in peace and confidence in the midst of some struggling through the changes. We know He spoke to us and we did the best we could to listen and obey.
Walking out of that debrief three days later, the squad was completely different. They were a unified family who was passionate for what God was going to do in and through them in Israel. They were surrendered to whatever His plans might be going forward. And they were hungry, passionate, and zealous for more of His kingdom.
Looking back on that whirlwind of a debrief, I can’t help but laugh at how beautifully God worked out all the details. I learned how necessary it is to make the hard decisions when you’re in leadership, regardless of who is with you. There must come a time when we lay down our own desire for human affirmation and make the decisions that are best for our people. I love them best when I worry less about if they like me, and more about who they are becoming on this journey.
