I went on my first bike ride since returning home from Georgia and my demeanor has taken a complete 180 degree turn from my last ride. The last ride I went on was right before I left for Atlanta for training camp.During that ride I was burdened with anxiety. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave my family and friends for what I saw as the beginning of the end. I was brimming with fear, so much so that I could barely function
Today’s ride was completely opposite. Just over a week later, instead of fear and anxiety I was filled with overwhelming love, joy, hope, freedom, and peace. What had made the change? This little gathering in Gainesville, GA called Training Camp! From the moment I stepped on the property all my anxiety washed away. As we drove in, my car full of squadmates and I were greeted with cheers from World Race alumni. I couldn’t help but be touched the love of strangers. I had only met some of my squadmates a matter of mere hours earlier, but I still couldn’t help but already fall in love them. The entire week is run nearly entirely by World Race alumni who believe so strongly in the Race and in us future Racers that they give their time in order to help us be successful. So what is this training camp thing?
Training camp is a week of preparation for Racers before they head out on the field.
The first couple of days are intense spiritual preparation where we had hours of worship and sermons. It was intense to say the least. In a nutshell, we were challenged to unpack our pasts and radically rely on God. It was during these first few days where I began to experience a freedom and peace unlike anything I’ve experienced before. This is when I started to shift my thinking. It’s not just a spiritual high, but rather it’s the start of a new way of living. The way I view myself, others, God, community, and the World Race have all changed for the better since I first landed in Atlanta.
I hope to address them all in future blogs, but the first one I want to discuss is the way I view the Race.
