As I walked across the Toccoa Falls campus carrying my brand new camping gear to the field where I would spend the next week, all I could think was “What in the world am I doing here?” I had heard the rumors of the crazy staff, fish eye soup, and sleeping on a bus at training camp, but had very little solid information other than when and where I was supposed to arrive. When we arrived, indeed we were met by crazy and loud staff members. How many other rumors would prove true throughout the week? What could I expect from the rest of the week? I had no idea and I was terrified!
While several of the rumors I had heard did prove true, nothing could have prepared me for the week of training camp. Unexpected challenges and blessings greeted me throughout the week and I wouldn’t change any of them. I am still processing the week and everything that happened, but here are a few things I learned during the week:
- God is bigger than I could ever imagine. If I ever feel like I truly know how powerful He is, it’s probably because I’m not watching close enough. He continually amazes me with how awesome He is.
- I want to be broken. Throughout the week, God convicted me on many occasions, brought me to my knees and made me realize I am nothing without Him. I can do nothing on my own. I need to completely rely on and trust Him. While those moments of total brokenness were incredibly hard, the rebuilding process brought me joy unspeakable and that is completely GOD working in me.
- Forgiveness comes before (or regardless of) reconciliation. This week, through God alone, I was able to forgive someone I have struggled to forgive. It was a long time coming, but I am so thankful that God allowed those chains to be broken.
- I am so excited to launch in September to see God work, but I’m also looking forward to the next six weeks, because the journey doesn’t start in September; it has already begun.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
