1) God is deeply in love with us!
– God’s love for us is the foundation of everything! He loves us without offense or condition, and wants us to live an abundant life in relationship with Him! He calls us to look into His loving eyes and hear these words “I will always love you!” (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:37-39)
2) We are His Sons and Daughters
– Our Father runs to us, wraps his arms around us, and celebrates us as His Children! The story of the prodigal is such a beautiful depiction of His affection for us! (Luke 15:11-32; Gal. 3:26; Romans 8:17)
– This song really resonated this truth to me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
3) Love because I love you
– I came up with this mantra a few years ago; Love, Everyone, Unconditionally, Always (LEUA). I’ve recited this to myself over and over again, but at camp God gave me the clear “why” that rocked my world! Why love? Because Our Father loves us always and without condition! (1 John 4:19)
4) Following God doesn’t always equal comfort
– If I didn’t believe this before, I do now! Training camp showed me how dependency on God is far greater than being comfortable. If we don’t cage God in by our comforts and borders, He can do some serious work in and through us! (1 Peter 5:10; Matt. 10:39)
5) God is Alive, Present, and Powerful
– The Holy Spirit is alive and in us all! The devil has no stronghold against us! All we need to do is let the victory of Our God reign in and through us! He even promises us that in Him we will do greater works than He did! (John 14:12)
6) It’s not the “Why” it’s the “Who”
– This has been huge for me! I don’t know exactly why God wants me to do the World Race, but I know who He is and what He’s called me to do, and that is enough! (Proverbs 3:5; Matt. 7:11)
7) Identity is Key
– We have to know who we are! We are loved by Our Father and wholly accepted by Him. If we are to impact the world at all, it starts in our own hearts! (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 15:7)
8) Opt In or Opt Out
– This one really hit home during training. In any given situation, we have a choice to opt in (fully participate in what God is doing in the here and now), or opt out (zone into our own little world). We must choose to trust that God has us here for a reason, and seek Him out! (Acts 17:27-28)
9) Let Control Go
– I don’t know about you, but when I try to take control of my life it usually goes south in a hurry! God doesn’t call us to run our own lives, but rather to stand in His truth and fall into His grace. He is sovereign, and He’s got it all under control! (Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 55: 8-11; Romans 8:28)
10) Be Present
– God never called Himself I Was or I Will Be, He is and always will be I AM! He is jealous for us to put aside our worry about the past and the future, and simply to live with Him! (Matt. 6:25-34)
11) It is Finished!
– When Jesus announced on the cross that “It is finished”, He meant it! All the shame, condemnation, regret, etc. that holds us down, He conquered. He became the perfect sacrifice in our place. We no longer have to feel unworthy or insufficient, for He is worthy and sufficient! He has restored our relationship to Our Father so that we can live in abundance with Him forever! (Romans 6:6)
