Just over a week ago I arrived home from training camp where I spent 10 days in humid Gainesville, Georgia. Where I spent time getting to know my squad, my leadership team, and what it truly means to live a life on mission. Every day since then I have tried to figure out how in the world I could accurately relay all of the beautiful, tender, awesome, healing, encouraging and empowering ways the Lord moved in those 10 days…in this one blog. Spoiler alert: I can’t. It has been a little overwhelming to even think about explaining all the little and big ways the Father showed up, not just for me but also for my team. Amidst the field scenarios, physical tests, beautiful worship and a community that will knock your socks off; a few moments stood out enough that I have told anyone who would listen about them. I figured I could start by sharing those with you.
Ashley Francis (Franny) one of our squad mentors spoke to the women about Rahab. Franny has a pretty crazy story and I loved having the opportunity to learn from her. I would 100% butcher her message if I tried to recreate it, so I will hit you with my main takeaways…
Rahab’s story is often mentioned when talking about sin and shame, particularly in regard to sexual sin. Here is the deal, nowhere is her story does Rahab seem shameful. God does not shame her. She is not ashamed. Guilt is recognizing you have done something wrong; shame is letting that thing define you. She recognized her guilt and chose freedom that comes with following the Lord. When you meet Rahab in heaven I highly doubt she introduces herself as “Rahab the prostitute” the way the Bible does. I hope she introduces herself as “Rahab, mother of Boaz, one of five women mentioned in the lineage of Christ. Who the Lord used to change the trajectory of His people through her obedience”
God is not ashamed to be HER GOD. This is so important. I want to shout it from the rooftops! He does not care about her past. He cares about her redemption and obedience. She was a prostitute, but she also chose to be obedient to God in a world surrounded by unbelievers. That obedience is what changed the course of her life. The same goes for you. Your past does NOT define you. It is also not an excuse for your future.
Listen to the Holy Spirit. He is a gentleman (my version is a he but he could totally be a lady too). He does not force things on you, it is more of a gentle nudge. I hear the Holy Spirit, it’s not an audible voice, but I still have to actively listen. One morning in my quiet time I asked Him to please let me hear Him because I was feeling inadequate and questioning myself. Asking things like “Is that really you? Am I making this up? How do I know? These people are all freaking awesome what the heck am I doing here??”
Later that day before worship my teammate Carla asked if she could pray for me. Her obedience in this moment is a whole other funny story. She laid her hands over my ears and prayed that I would have ears to hear and a mind to understand. She had no idea about my silent plea to the Lord that morning. I immediately felt the Holy Spirit “telling’ me not to make a peep during worship. While everyone danced and worshiped around me I sat on my caboose right in front of the stage with my eyes closed and my ears open.
Throughout that service no less than five people prayed and proclaimed things over me. Things like “I feel like the Lord wants me to tell you that you can do hard things”. “You are not forgotten or overlooked”.
The Father reminded me that He is speaking to me and I know it. Just close your mouth and listen. It may be through a nudge in your spirit and it may be through the community he surrounds you with. Maybe He knows if I heard His audible voice I would pee my pants and he wants to spare me the embarrassment? Either way, I am working on listening more and questioning less because that is the enemy at work.
There is so much more I would love to share with you, like…
o How impactful a hug and words from a stranger can be. (look into Fatherheart ministries)
o Once you get used to eating with your hands it is a hard habit to break.
o Jesus has stripped the enemy of ALL his weapons… The only ones he can use against us are the ones WE GIVE HIM! Literally in the Bible.
o The art of the bucket shower.
o You can’t have a new life if you’re holding on to old ways. (aka ditch the shame)
o If you find a tick on your person do not panic. Also, a lighter is not necessary.
o The Holy Spirit is the coolest dude you will ever meet.
o It is a natural reaction to yell a profanity if you find a spider in your tent on your friend in the dark the first night at camp.
o If you invite Jesus to sit with you on your couch, he will totally show up.
o Crickets have great flavor, but the texture is not for me.
o The Fierce Five (my team) is a force to be reckoned with. I’ll tell you more about them later.
o When you see a need you physically cannot meet watching it be met is just as cool. (ask me about our hike!)
But this is a blog, not a novel! If you would like to know more I would LOVE to tell you about it. There are seriously a bazillion ways to get in touch with me and I am looking for any excuse to talk about it. Thank you for your prayers and support. Keep em’ coming! And feel free to check out my teammates blogs on the left of my page.
