"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19
Like many of my fellow P squad mates, I have struggled to find a way to explain the events of training camp. I've been home for nine days now and I am still processing what has happened. At church yesterday, my pastor referenced Luke 4:18-19 (see above). Once again, I am humbled to know how perfectly the next year of my life has been described. After the visible move of God at training camp, I have no doubt my squad mates and I will walk out these two verses during the course of our World Race. We are being sent out into the world to reach those overlooked and often forgotten, but we are not alone. His Spirit is inside each of us. In times of uncertainty, He guides us. In moments of need, He provides. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect. He is our heavenly Father and His love for us knows no bounds. Strip away all the training scenarios, the fun activities, the time spent sleeping or eating from training camp and you are left with Him and His loving embrace.
For those of you who were not there at training camp, I will say this never before in my life has God moved like this. In six days, He made a family out of fifty strangers. He wrecked us and the walls we had built to protect ourselves. It was powerful and humbling to witness. By week's end, we were praying, prophesying, worshipping, encouraging, rejoicing, weeping, dancing and sharing with one another with reckless abandon.
I grew up in the church and have seen first hand the moves of God, but this was different. It was both communal and intimately personal. He revealed losses I hadn't grieved, gifts I hadn't used, power I had only imagined, and love I hadn't truly experienced. I fell in love with Him all over again. I wept openly in front of others I hardly knew. I shared feelings and thoughts I had hid for years. Best of all, this is only the beginning. I saw Him, my papa, in the eyes of strangers and He was more real to me than ever before. I saw Him in a young man dancing wildly without shame. I saw Him in the woman who sang loudly of His grace and mercy. I saw Him in the quiet strength and guidance of our trainers and leaders. I saw Him in the joy and happiness of my squad mates even when we were tired, hungry, and worn out.
With all my heart and soul, I pledge to not forget what He has done in a mere six days and to proclaim His name to the nations no matter the cost.
