The time at CGA has commenced.
40something 20-30 year olds come together like little kindergarteners chaotically starting their first day of education exploration.
What better way to say “Welcome all” than to throw each and every one of us in the middle of the woods for a week?
AIM took notice to this wonderful idea and decided to put it into practice.
We pupils gathered our packs from the Race that we thought we had retired for at least a couple months, filled it with the tent that hasn’t been pulled out of its shell since this time last year (month 1), our sleeping pads that aren’t as supportive as they seemed to be overseas, and clothes that we soon found out to be not so necessary.
Draw your focus to the bottom third of this picture – literally the only month I used my tent. And I am now months into being 23.
Being dropped off in the rolling hills of north Georgia, which we like to proudly call mountains, our team of about 10 other Racers from other squads started our trek.
That tent we so diligently packed seemed to come in use only one out of our four nights within the unknown jungle. Instead, our shelter was two large tarps and our skills to convince the new friend to sleep on the edge of one of the tarps.
With combating black diamond eastern treacherous rattlesnakes and yellow jackets equipped with GPS systems, I think we made it out rather well.
Our last full day in the wilderness we were to provide a creative presentation of what we learned during our little adventure to our group.
My instinct was to immediately go to drawing. I am not the best drawer, but I like expressing myself in that way.
Instead, I said what the hay and decided to challenge myself with writing a poem.
I titled my said poem WAR, representing the internal war we have, yet don’t often realize, between our physical flesh and our spirit.
WAR
Whose war are we fighting
Here on this Earth?
There seems to be two sides of me
It seems an internal hurt.
I thought this was about pointing fingers
And picking those to blame.
It wasn’t until recent
That my own mirror held the frame.
“As far as the east is from the west
So far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Those words on the page
Simply put my mind in a circular fuss.
I come to a crossroads
Right or left is the question.
Why have I never noticed before
The lack in my progression?
Of course we’ll make the same choice,
We’re rhythmic by nature.
It’s now dawning on me that I’m focusing
On the creation, not the Creator.
Keep your eyes off the path
And focus right in.
Blue skies and new seasons
He’ll sway your feet from tripping in sin.
So stand up now and
keep your posture.
Humble enough, loving enough, righteous enough…
Pride is not what you want to foster.
Desire to stand tall,
Lace your body with peace.
Hand over this war
Leave it at Jesus’ feet.
You may still find yourself in a circular motion
But Lo, I am always with you
Give Him your devotion.
God you may seek
And you may find confusion,
But always He is with you,
Don’t give into an illusion.
Flesh, what are you doing to me?
Give over already!
Can’t you see that it’s a war not worth fighting?
Can’t you see that my Father is winning?
Rest in His peace now,
Be where you are.
There’s no need to think about the past
Or the future so far.
He’s calling you to serve,
But first He’s calling you to BE.
Be with Him in the moment
And forever be free.
I hope you enjoyed it. Mostly, I hope you learned from it.
Financial update of CGA funds: $1,955.86 more to reach my $3,600 goal!
If you are feeling led to help me reach my goal, you may donate on the Support Me! option under my picture on the left side. For more options of donating, you may contact me at [email protected].
