How do you let go of something that has changed your life? How do you move on from a place that God used to shape you? Why let go of the security blanket that is so warm and inviting?
I have now left the camp that I have spent a large portion of the last several years serving the Lord. Being back in my home town of Winnipeg is a little weird. This is where I will be spending the next two months preparing and continuing to fundraise for my launch on January 8 from Washington DC. Driving out from camp the most ironic song, that could possibly come on the radio does. Your Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins...up until that point my emotional state was fairly solid. After the first line that all went out the window and tears were on the verge of getting everywhere.
Don't worry the car stayed on the road as I flashbacked to the past.
To my first summer at camp where I learned about what acting in faith is all about. That our faith in Christ should lead us to do something(James 2:14-26)!
To the first time I program directed. One of the toughest weeks of my life but God showed up big! The kids were awesome but tragedy struck at night as one of them was taken to the hospital with a severe asthma attack. Feeling absolutely helpless and screaming to the heavens asking God to heal her. Begging Him to act on my behalf and do what I never could.
Yet despite my pleading she was taken home to be with the Lord. His glory was made known through loss and Jesus claim of being the resurrection and the life took on a whole new meaning(John 11). The slightest detail from that night is still with me. Yet I'll never forget God's goodness and the peace He brought after hearing she had made a commitment to follow Christ years before. Jumping farther forward to this past year where God showed up in a huge way! More details on that can be found in this blog post http://brendonwoodall.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-timeline
This brings us to the reason why I'm leaving the security blanket behind.
Having spent the last several years becoming familiar with it and getting comfortable it is weird to let go. Yet it is so essential to learn how to let go to truly come to maturity. All the things I've gone through have enabled me to say that I love the hard times. As it's in them that I learn the most about who I am in Christ and who He is.
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
For me to remain at camp would be clinging on to safety and avoiding a greater joy that God has for me. I would rely too much on myself and not enough on the leading of the Spirit. It's time to let go of the security blanket and move on to maturity! I might end up back at Dallas Valley but for now this is what God has for me and I'm so excited to see Him work over this year!
A quick update on my fundraising status: My Account currently sits at $3,826.98! My next goal is $6,500 by Dec. 1 Thank you so much to all those who have supported me so far! It means so much to me to see that you are behind me in this. Your continued support through prayer and financialy are greatly appreciated. If you would like to support me click the Support Me link on the side of the page. To all my Canadain donors: If you are writing a cheque please write it out in US funds (ex. One Hundred US dollar). As this will allow the cheques to process faster and put the exact amount into my support account. Also AIM is not able to give tax deductable reciepts to Canadian donors.
