“How was training camp?”
“Uhhhh…”
How on earth do you answer that question?
How do I give a short answer that summarizes these things:
God transforming my view of him. Meeting my new family. Sleeping in odd places. Eating things I’ve never had before. The Holy Spirit breaking multiple chains that were holding me back. Witnessing healings. Intense worship. Sweat, bugs, and more sweat. Laughing until I cry. Crying because of how much I love my God.
How do you roll those things into one simple concise answer?
Well, you don’t.
I’ve settled for saying “challenging, and stretching.”
But those two things are only the start.
Instead of going on and on about every detail, I want to tell you about a vision someone shared at camp that radically changed my relationship with God.
(I wish I knew who this person was so I could give him credit for this great vision, but I don’t. Sad day. If you're reading this, holler, I'd like to thank ya.)
He was talking about seeing a father outside with his kids. They were all having fun outside playing, and just filled with complete joy. But there was a kid inside just watching all the good and fun things outside. This kid wasn’t playing because he had casts covering his broken body. Outside, he could see how awesome the father was. He could see the fun and joy that just awaited him outside that window. But he couldn’t enjoy it. He was too held back. These casts were preventing him from fully experiencing the awesomeness of this father.
Then it struck me in the face like a ton of bricks.
That was me.
I had been living with these self inflicted casts of doubt and insecurity that were preventing me from surrendering fully to the joy and peace that the Lord provides.
It was like I was that kid sitting inside.
I could see how good God was.
I could see him working in everyone else’s life.
I would proclaim his grace and mercy was for everyone, except me.
He brings joy and peace to everyone, except me.
He loves everyone, except me.
Why would I ever think that?
Idk.
What I do know is that when I asked God to remove those self inflicted casts, I felt this indescribable freedom that only the Lord can provide overcome my body and overwhelmed my soul.
God shows ME grace.
God shows ME mercy.
God brings ME joy.
God gives ME peace.
GOD LOVES ME.
I am HIS daughter.
HE is MY father.
I am welcomed to play outside with HIM and enjoy his awesomeness.
These seem like simple facts, but some where along the way, I forgot these simple truths.
Yeahhh, HE is good.
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-17
Oh, P.S. I LOVE G SQUAD!
