Training camp, much friend, very sun, many cry, wow. I can’t explain it, it was an experience that can’t fully be put into words. I cried, I sweat, I built relationships, I found new freedom, and most of all I drew closer to God.
There is one memory that I want to share with you that made my training camp amazing. There was a specific night where we were given some food and some tarps and taken to a campground. We were told that we were to make camp and they would pick us up in the morning.
The food was awesome but that was not the best part, the best part was the lake. We were so excited to get into the water and escape the heat. We didn’t even wait 30 minutes after eating to get in the water! #ZRebels The whole squad was enjoying the cool wet body of life when one of my squadmates said that she wanted to get baptized. She had gotten baptized as a child but said that it didn’t mean anything to her and she wanted to get baptized for real.
I immediately said that I would be honored to baptize her right then and there in the lake that represented life to us at training camp. With the whole squad gathered around, we saw a beautiful display of boldness and obedience to God!
The point of the World Race is to grow closer to God. Baptism is a symbol of dying with Christ and rising up to live a life pursuing Him, as well as letting your friends and family know that you want them to help you pursue Jesus. JoCelyn made the decision to get baptized in front of the people who she will be living life in community with for the next 11 months and I cannot think of a better way to start the World Race.
One of my favorite things in the world is seeing people get baptized. One can only grow if they make the decision to grow. Baptism is a decision that is made to grow with Jesus. You have 2 decisions, grow with Jesus or neglect growing with Jesus. I think that we should all make the decision to grow by intentionally spending time in the word and in prayer. Jesus will grow you, if you seek him. You reap what you sow, choose to sow in the Spirit!
