Ever had the feeling that your eyes were covered by a layer of film? Where you can see enough to get by but nothing is quite crystal clear and in focus. I recently realized that this can happen without even being aware that the film was there. Since starting my walk with Christ I found out that I have allowed things to build up and obscure my view of Him.
I have been back from training camp for several days now, but words have been failing me when telling about my experience. Going into training camp I have no idea what to expect. Upon leaving, the growth and impact that training camp had on me was more than I could have ever fathomed.
It did not even take a day to realize that something was covering my eyes. That I had built up walls. That I had allowed myself to become distant from others. God immediately went to work on my heart, opening it up to His presence, the community He had surrounded me with, and the beauty of His creation. Initially, I wanted to fight against God, fight against change in me. I had become comfortable with the way I was. Comfortable with just coasting.
I am glad to report that I lost the battle. A better way to put it is, “God is Victorious.” Always. I was assured that God will always fight for His people and love in such a way with such a passion that you nor I can ever begin to comprehend. We will always be His and He will always be there for us. I was reminded of this with every worship service that was held. With every session or workshop that I attended. With every testimony that I heard as I got to know fellow children of God.
In just ten days everything changed. Ten very long, hot, sweaty, tiring days. Ten days that turned out to be eye-opening, exhilarating, and one of the best experiences of my life. Training Camp. Those two simple words carry a log of meaning for my forty-two brothers and sisters in Christ that attended it with me. God tore down walls in each of us so we could be brought back up in Him and each other.
With my heart now full of compassion and love for God and His people, I could not be happier to have the blessing of doing ministry alongside some amazing people for the next nine months. To be able to see God continue to work in us and through us so that we may come to fully understand the joy it is to be a child of God. For the film to be removed that covers our eyes so we may see our Father and all of His glory.
We showed up as strangers. We left as a family. A very smelly family.
