World Race training camp: 10 hot (and I mean HOT) days in Georgia full of growth and knowledge. 10 days that gave me a deeper insight into Philippians 4:13. 10 days where I learned that with Jesus on my side, no hill is too steep (literally) and no valley is too low.
My squad and I sat in session upon session, learning about walking in the Kingdom and living in community. I was forced past the boundaries of my comfort zone both physically and spiritually, leaning deeper into my relationship with the Lord, all while living in a tent and taking cold showers with a bucket and a cup.
I was grown and stretched in so many ways over these past 10 days, so here are some of the beautiful things I learned:
- When Jesus died on the cross, he shattered your chains. Everything broken within you has been restored, so it is our job to move forward, let go of those chains, and walk in the light of his love.
- Our salvation costs us NOTHING. Jesus already paid that price. Choosing to walk in and for the Kingdom, however, costs us EVERYTHING.
- Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. Forgiving others sets you free to fully experience the Father’s love. Praying for those who have hurt you and living a life full of forgiveness allows us to reveal God’s character and grace to everyone we meet.
- The importance and joy of worship! Worship isn’t just gathering together and singing songs (even though singing praise together at training camp was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced), worship is a way of life. A constant posture of stretching yourself to be deeper in your relationship with the Lord. It’s constantly praising Jesus with every breath you take, because he is worth every inhale and exhale, nothing less.
- Jesus HEALS. There was so much restoration that happened while at camp. Healing both internally and externally. True miracles.
- Bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth requires full surrender. Denying yourself and your worldly desires is HARD, but it’s what we’re called to do.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?'” Matthew 16:24-26
There’s nothing in this world like Jesus. He is worth it all, despite the cost. I learned that no matter how hard things get, he is always walking right beside me.
These past 10 days have been a mere glimpse into the joy and community I will be experiencing on the World Race, making me even more excited and expectant for what’s to come. Here’s to not only the next 9 months of living fully for the Kingdom, but to the rest of my life.
