In typical WR fashion the two days of Launch have felt more like two weeks and I'm leaving it feeling as if I have been hit by a bus again. ( at least the bus isn't quite as big as the one from training camp). You would think that sleeping in a hotel for a few nights, worshiping, spending time with my amazing teammates and hearing people share incredible stories about Jesus would be easy, but goodness its tiring and stretching and messy.
On morning one we had a five minute message on listening prayer. Then we were told we had an hour to ATL. ATL = Ask the Lord. We were supposed to ask the Lord what He wanted us to do and where He wanted us to go. Welcome to the WR culture: instead of constantly being spoon fed we are taught by the good old fashion method of trail and error. This method isn't quite so great for the pride, but certainly effective otherwise.
I quickly found out that my team struggles with listening prayer. After a few minutes of what felt like unsuccessful prayer and a few more of almost aimless walking and petty conversation we decided to regroup.We sat under a tree at Eden cemetery and posed the question:what are your desires to get out of the race?
here are mine:
1. Fall madly in love with Jesus
2. Make my identity in Christ alone
3. Don't be hypocritical in my encouragement, but believe the truths that I speak over others and that my Father has for me.
4. Break down the walls in my hardened heart
5. Learn to serve out of an overflow of Christ's love, not because I love serving
6. Change my heart to one of dependence and desperation for Jesus
7. Dance freely because I am set free
8. Learn to listen and not just talk to God
9. Be present, every moment of every day
10. Learn what God's rest is
I didn't come back from our ATL time with some crazy awesome story that brought someone to Christ, but I came back with the exact story that Jesus wanted for me at this time.
I was reminded ( once again) that:
comparison is a thief of joy–the Lord has me exactly where He wants me.
I am on a journey–If i jump to the end result, I'll miss what Jesus wants to teach me along the way
So even though I was frustrated at times and worn down at others in the past few days. I am going to choose in. Choose in to love my team with all that I have. Choose in to be stretched and broken so that I can be built up again.
I am choosing less of me and more of you Father, I just need your loving hand to guide me there.
