Going into Training Camp, I really didn’t think i would be learning all that much. I had heard that it was a time when you get broken, learn how messed up you are, and get some perspective and healing for all your various issues. I suppose I felt a little “above” this, not because I don’t have issues but because I’ve been dealing with them head on in a healthy way for the good amount of 4 years. Not to say that I’m completely “fixed”, but I do think that I have more of an awareness of these things than most people do, due to the fact that ComGroup is basically group therapy and I’ve been going to counseling for a few semesters now.
But…. I was wrong.
I learned so much about who I am in Christ, what the world needs, and how to bring heaven down to earth. Por ejemplo:
*I am royalty, I have a destiny, I was born to do great things. We are Kings and Queens in the Kingdom of the Lord! For some reason, I have always held on to the teaching that Christians are supposed to be humble, obedient, calm, “good” people. Like, if you were really a Christian, you would fill in the “About Me” section on facebook with “it’s not”. Now, these things are beneficial, but I was taught to never brag or boast about anything, never think to highly of myself. i think this plays into my self esteem issues- I wanted to have a healthy view of myself but I think I took that “stay humble” thing too literally and would feel weird about having any positive thoughts about myself. But get this. I am dead. Christ is alive inside of me. I would never try to “dumb down” the Power of Christ, never not brag or boast about the God he is…. do you get what I’m saying?? I learned that I have a voice, significance, and authority in Christ. HOW COOL IS THAT?? I was born to do great things. I can change the world. ME. what a great new way to live, finding my confidence in Christ and not letting any lies get to me, or get in the way of my ministry.
*The Holy Spirit isn’t scary. Before Training Camp, I was aware that Adventures in Missions had a more “Spirit-filled” approach than what I’m used to. I let this fear get to me a little too much, dwelling on how scary it will be, how uncomfortable I’d feel, how weird things would be happening, etc. etc. I tend to be a little ridiculous in my fears about the unknown. BUT IT WAS AWESOME!! I mean, I don’t think I received any new spiritual gifts at training camp, but it was pretty awesome giving the Spirit the place He deserves in the Trinity. If we really believe they are three in one, why do we give the Spirit the shaft! It’s what Jesus gave us when he left this earth to help us live as Christians…it seems so silly that we don’t take advantage of this! I think one of the biggest things I learned is that I can listen to the Spirit. Yes, ME! And you!
*We aren’t going out to see how man people we can get “saved”, we are bringing heaven crashing down into earth.
What a beautiful picture. I’m not really for the whole Gospel tract,
save ’em and leave ’em, quick, drive thru process of telling people
about our Lord. It is so much more complicated, beautiful, magnificent than that. I am so excited that we are NOT going to cheapen the gospel on the Race.
*I am going to see things that will break my heart.
I knew this going into it, but when we did “Kingdom stories” night, i
just about lost it. It’s so different when someone tells a first hand
account of the glue kids in Kenya, the Burma child refugees, sex
trafficking in Thailand or India…. it really changes you. I was just
beside myself for the better part of an hour thinking about all the
injustice that is going on in the world, especially affecting the
children. The good news is that I get to do something about it! I am excited about bringing light into these dark places, and giving out hope like it’s candy. I will probably do A LOT of crying this next year, but the good news is that some of them will be tears of joy!
Now that I have great knowledge, I have great responsibility….
