It has been 2 weeks already since the launch of my World Race mission trip. Super yay !
We started this journey with training camp in Uganda to get our squad prepared to go on the field.
Has it been exciting, stretching and adventurous as I expected it would be ? YES!!!!
But nothing like i dreamt or imagined.
It has been raw and real for me.
Training camp was quite intense physically, spiritually, relationnally and in my case a roller coaster of emotions.
I was so excited about this year-long journey. I wondered if i could actually make it through.
I felt positively challenged in many ways. I felt lacking in many areas.
I felt empowered. I felt inadequate and lost.
I shed tears of joy, relief and gratitude. I shed tears of frustration and incomprehension.
I found myself pacing around under the bright stars of Uganda crying out to God.
I found myself crying in the secret of my tent.
At some point I reached a stage where i thought I was just running out of everything… discernment, joy, energy, confidence… Past fears and insecurities seemed to be lurking around and play with my nerves and emotions.
I so desesperatly needed Jesus’s embrace and rest, my anchor in the storm.
I needed His peace over the raging waters in my mind and emotions.
PEACE! BE STILL!
As a loving but firm father, I am so thankful that the Lord did not allow me to have a self-pity party.
Our squad is blessed with amazing leaders who are so crazy in love with Him. For the past weeks they have been pouring out over us their wisdom, incredible teachings, words of encouragements…
As part of our training we were reminded of the power of our words and urged not to forget to be an encourager. As a practical exercice we were each challenged to ask the Lord to give us words of encouragement to several of our squadmates.
God used that moment and members of my squad to renew the landscape of my mind and remind me of who He says that i am and His promises.
“I feel like i am lacking in so many areas” = you are complete.
“I don’t even know who I am anymore” = you are a powerhouse. You are beautiful, beauty ignites from within you. You are a gentle, sweet spirit. You are so much more than you think.
“I’m not sure what I can bring/give” = You’ve got a beautiful smile. You bring peace wherever you go. People are comfortable around you. You attract people with the peace from within you. You are gonna be part of a radical impact where you are. You are loving and caring to others. You give genuine love without expecting anything in return.
“I feel so lost” = I am your dance partner, let me guide you. I guided each of your step until here. You are right where you are supposed to be.
“I am so confused” = PEACE! BE STILL. There is no more raging waters and storm but a deep calm ocean… deep peace. A beautiful swan swimming in quiet waters.
🙂
I’m so thankful for the Lord’s beautiful ways to show me His love, but also for reminding me that He gave me authority to declare “PEACE, BE STILL” to every area of my life.
I am doing perfectly fine now ! Yay ! On to new adventures with my team (by the way, our team’s name is Jehovah’s pride aka JP).
As I journey with the Lord this whole year my prayer is that I would live this adventure fully without holding back and for always more space for more of God.
Would you keep me in your prayers ?
Looooove.
PS : Pour mes lecteurs français : je traduis au plus vite ce post
