It’s easy to get puffed up with pride. For me, I have been on the World Race. I’ve experienced the countries, the initiation, community and brokenness that for the 147 new racers there for training camp is still only theory. But God had mercy on me, and didn’t let me go very far in my sin before I realized that training camp is as much for the squad leaders as it is for the squad.
I saw as, through out the week, the Spirit of God moved. People who came as strangers progressed through the week and were healed, set free, began to see the other strangers as their family, passions were kindled(some old and some new) and left new creations ready for a new journey. Meanwhile, I watched.
Oh yeah, I worshiped with them and participated as much as I could. But even then, I was watching. I watched as they experienced God and each other in a fresh way. I watched as they began to see the world in a new way. Maybe a way that they weren’t familiar with, but it seemed to make more sense then the world they grew up knowing. I watched them laugh and cry, fail and succeed. I also listened.
I listened to the worship. I listened to them try to explain to me what was happening on the inside of them and what brought them to this place. I listened to God speak through them to me, and I listened to God speak about them to me.
And at the end of the week, despite how quickly everything happened and changed. You couldn’t have payed me enough to leave. I loved R squad with a love I didn’t think existed. Even though most of them are the same age or older then me I have the love and pride for them that a father has for his children. I want them to go deeper, farther and faster then I did. And I know they will.
As for me, I have as much to learn from these guys as they do from me and Di. And God reminded me of a prayer that I was praying when I first got home from my race.
20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
I had been praying that God would make me a vessel of honorable use, and I just realized that he had answered that prayer. I could think of no more honorable way to be used then to be poured out onto R squad.
We launch Sept. 13th to the Phillipines. Please pray for me to have the wisdom, love and discernment to lead well. Also if you love or support me, please do the same for my squad. You can find their blogs here:
http://www.theworldrace.org/?tab=participants&group=10WR0902
