It’s day 3 here at Training Camp. And I’m sitting in the back of the outdoor pavilion, listening to the beginning of the talk. But within 5 minutes, I’m feeling worse and worse. My energy level is sinking, my eyes are itching and watering, and my body is shaking internally. You know when you get the chills even though you’re wearing 3 layers of longs sleeve clothing? Or when your back aches and you can’t focus? Yep, that was me. I say in my head, “Ah shoot, this isn’t good, think I’m getting real sick.” So I decide to leave.
To leave the session, and go lay down on a couch in my cabin. I awkwardly duck my head, leave my chair, sneak in between some people, and go past the restrooms and towards the short wilderness path walk down to my cabin. As I exit the area, I can sense someone walking behind me, but I don’t turn around to look who it is. I don’t want to be bothered. I’m on a mission, straight to the couch and into my warm sleeping bag. But I hear the steps getting closer. If I don’t turn around, I know I’m about to get grabbed. This person is persistent. Instead of getting grabbed, I turn back and look. And it’s Brandon!
We look at each other, he’s real close to me now. I muster up a tiny little smile. But he has a look of concern at me.
He asks with gentle sincerity, “Are you okay man?”
I answer, “Ya, I’m okay. I’m just not feeling too good. I’m gonna go lay down. Shake this thing off.”
He says, “Oh, good, I thought you looked down or upset or something. Wanted to check on you.”
That was nice of him.
But I was mad!
Mad that I was getting sick. Don’t you hate getting sick? Me too, because I know what it means. It means 1-2 weeks of no energy, laying in bed, no social life, and a cold and achy body. And at this camp, it means I’m going to miss out on so much – discipling, worship, mentoring, fun – because of the sickness.
So Brandon and I continue to walk down the path together. We get to the bottom. My cabin is to the left 20 feet away, it’s time to split ways. But Brandon, in compassion asks, “Can I pray for you.?”
I say, “yes.” Inside though, I’m thinking, “YES! AH, THAT WOULD BE SO GREAT! THANK YOU!”
You see – I’m a leader at this camp. And I was Brandon’s leader. He just got back from his year around the world. He was one of my leaders on the field. And here I am, the weak one. Here I am, getting wiped out by stupid sickness. Here I am, and taking a big breath of humility to allow my brother and friend to pray for me. I’m an independent person. This was not easy to do.
But I was so thankful.
He prays for healing. For a boost in the immune system. For quick restoration of my body.
I lift my open to the sky…desperate. “Yes, Jesus, please. I ask for healing. I believe. Please.”
I go to the cabin, hit the couch, put on some worship music and fall asleep.
When I wake up after an hour, all I can remember is that I went to bed with a few songs on shuffle, but all lyrics of rest, healing, and wellness.
The song when I wake up was also on being whole in Jesus.
I don’t feel worse, but I don’t feel amazing. I leave the cabin and go to lunch, with all the masses of other people.
After lunch is our next session – and I knew in advance the topic – Healing!
I’m still tired, but instead, I know that it’s better I go to the session. After Ron Walbourn talks so insightfully on the topic, he has us start praying over each other.
Shoot, I know I don’t evenneed prayer. Because all through his talk I kept feeling better and better. It was SO different than the first morning talk. I was even taking off layers. Praise Jesus! I was starting to sweat. I was smiling because my armpits were sweating! I wasn’t cold anymore. In fact, I was hot! And as soon as everyone started praying for each other I find Brandon immediately.
With a HUGE smile on my face and HIS, I say, “Dude, I’m healed! I’m hot, not cold. My body isn’t aching. Dude!”
We smile huge and hug it out, bro style!
I don’t always understand healing, but when it happens, and personally, it builds up so much faith.
Follwed, Grabbed, and Healed – Thank you, God.
