I just returned home from Gainesville, Georgia. I spent ten days spiritually and physically preparing for 9 months on the field. I slept mainly in my tent, used only porta potties, ate three meals a day that reflected the different cultures I’ll be apart of, took some pretty awesome bucket showers and finally got to meet my sisters and brothers in Christ. To be completely honest it was ten days but felt like ten thousand years. I was incredibly sleep deprived, insanely hungry, and I don’t think there was a time I wasn’t sweating due to the Georgia heat. I was attacked by the enemy with lies and at one point debated the thought of giving up and fleeing to the comforts of home. Yet despite all of this I felt the most peace I ever have. I heard the Lord’s voice clear as day multiple times and discovered what it truly means to let the Spirit guide me. I sang my heart out in worship to my King every day, got super vulnerable with those around me, and felt joy wash over me like a flood. I rebuked the lies of the enemy, and stood firm in my loving saviors presence. I counted the cost of being a disciple, and surrendered all desires of my flesh to Him. I also learned that surrendering it to Him isn’t a one time deal, it’s a surrender I will make every day and I will surrender everything I am in joy. I carry a hope within, knowing that His Kingdom come is worthy of all glory.
So basically training camp was insane! Making my way through the airport upon first arrival I saw over two hundred young adults with their hiking packs. I took one look and my heart skipped a few beats. The Lord’s literal army! Each chosen to go and make disciples of all nations. Each chosen by the King. It was an extremely surreal moment for me. Later that week during a nighttime worship session, voices cried out, “Yours is the Kingdom. Yours is the Power. Yours is the Glory. Forever, Amen.” I stopped for a moment to take it in. Eyes closed. Picturing myself in the throne room. I realized these were the voices I will one day be standing beside singing with, as we glorify the Father – but one day it won’t be in a building. It will be in Heaven.
The Lord claims us as His children. When you receive Jesus in your life, you receive grace. You receive love. You receive joy. You receive brothers and sisters in Christ. You become adopted as sons & daughters. You realize earth is only a place meant for passing through, that one day we will be reunited with the Father and will be welcomed home with one big embrace. But in the meantime there is work to do.
In the meantime, disciples must be made. Love must be given. The naked must be clothed. The hungry fed. The orphans given a family. The sick completely healed. The homeless given a home. The hopeless given hope. These acts will be done according to His will so that one day we can circle around the throne with every nation, every tribe, every language standing before Him. Clothed in white robes as they have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to the springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15-17.
So here I am. Understanding what it takes to live life with a Kingdom mindset. Wrecked in the best way by the Father’s love. I say here I am Lord, send me! These next nine months aren’t simply nine months of missionary work. These next nine months will be life as a disciple of Christ. It will not be a season of life that will finish when I return back to the United States. It will be the continuous journey of learning to love others the way Papa loves us. I’m learning to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. To follow obediently and serve others before I serve myself. I have much to learn but I do know He is good. All of the time. He is faithful and He is worthy of all my days. Stay tuned folks – He is on the move!
