This is the doorway to the house we have been staying in over the past two weeks. I have walked in and out of this door over and over again. I am usually either pumped up and ready to go as I walk out the door or I am coming home feeling so tired that it almost takes every bit of strength I have just to stand there and wait for someone to open the door and let me in. I have learned so much from both sides of this doorway.
The inside of this house is set up rather nicely, most everyone shares a queen size bed with one other person, while some have to sleep on the pads they brought with them. We have hot showers, that’s right, HOT SHOWERS. Such a blessing. We have been eating wonderfully and have frankly just been spoiled. However, don’t allow the accommodations to fool you because this is only training camp and while the accommodations have been wonderful the growth has been rather difficult.
One of the biggest things I have learned whilst in this house is the understanding of perception. How you perceive things is a choice. I can look at the hair all over the bathroom floor and be annoyed or I can say thank the Lord I brought shoes. I can be frustrated that my toast went missing or I can get excited that I accidently prepared breakfast for someone else. I can kick and scream at the thought of never being alone or I can thank God for the opportunity to have so much fellowship with my heavenly family. I can look at the struggles and fears I have had coming into this and run home or I can face them head on and understand that I have the authority of Christ within in me to overcome my fears and persevere.
Every time I walk through this door I am choosing to continue to live in accordance to Gods plan even if that means NEVER having alone time, ALWAYS wearing shoes to the shower, not being allowed to flush toilet paper or most of all, being vulnerable. The transition of leaving home and being surrounded by people who don’t know all the ins and outs of who I am is hard. Understanding my gifting’s and pushing myself to walk in them is difficult.
Do I enjoy doing hundreds of squats/pushups/burpies/crunches… ummmmmm…… NO!!! Walking up to a stranger and handing him a bag of milk is a little out of my comfort zone. Learning to hear the Lord’s voice has been extremely challenging. Sometimes I am honestly just confused and have no Idea what is happening so I just follow. Other times I am given the ability to lead. I am learning to be humble, to lead, to follow, to encourage and so so much more. I do this all with the perception Christ has. I am praying constantly to see through his eyes and not my own.
This has only been preparation to endure so much more than just not having alone time, or hair on the floor. I am preparing to walk out of this house as a part of the army of Christ. The battle field is about to become known. We are about to slay some darkness and provide the light. My perception has changed from fear to readiness. God has given us all the tools needed to set the tone for the year. I say LET’S GO!!!!
