Sometimes after living in community for seven months you have to choose to be intentional to invest in people. Sometimes after seven months, locking yourself in your hotel room during debrief seems like an easier option. However, I have been pursuing the choices that aren’t the easier ones.
This debrief I choose my squad mates over adventure. I chose my squad mates over staying in my hotel room enjoying what little peace and quiet would be available. This debrief I choose to invest more heavily into my squad mates.
Sunday though Wednesday this week my schedule was packed with breakfast, lunch, and dinner dates everyday with different squad mates. I truly loved it. I walked away from every one-on-one with a deeper understanding of their hearts.
I think intentionality sometimes gets overlooked. I was guilty of it at home. I would have my phone sitting on the table while eating. I would be more focused on it instead of some conversations. I choose to be intentional with my squad mates instead.
It was beautiful. It was awesome. Every conversation was iron sharpening iron. “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,” Proverbs 27:17. I can not tell you just how beautiful the hearts of my squad mates are.
I had eight one-on-ones in one day, and instead of being drained, I felt more encouraged. Tuesday morning we had a squad meeting and I sat quietly just looking around at everyone. Our hearts have grown so much since our first meeting in October. All I could think was how beautiful my squad mates are. They are not just physically beautiful, these people have amazingly beautiful hearts.
Over a journey of seven months the Lord has turned us into a huge family. We know each other. We know each other hearts. We know when someone in hurting. We know when someone just needs a hug or needs to sit and talk. We know how to build each other up, and we know how to call each other out.
I haven’t questioned my choice to choose my squad mates over adventure during debrief. I let the Lord work in me and instead I had adventures in getting to know my squad mates better. Last night one of them walked up to me and gave me a big hug and said “you have been my favorite part of this debrief.” It made my heart happy, but I knew it was all the words for the Lord…
