There is something strange about being in the presence of God that seems to alter time, and to change our perspectives about the universe. In Training Camp, we were struck with the oddity that, only after being there for three days, we felt like we had been there a month. At other times, we felt as though we had only been there a day. It makes you understand how God is ABOVE time.
This came from the presence of God residing in that place, but more importantly, within us: Worshipers. We worshiped frequently, morning, day, and night. We prayed constantly, to the point that it was more common to pray with each other than not to. And I believe that in that, with 180ish hearts set on God in that place, that He showed up and showed off.
We all became broken that week. Stripped of everything we thought about God so that He could show us who He really is, outside of the box we try to keep him in. We became wrecked for God, with tear and snot stained shirts to prove it.
And none of it was our doing.
God showed up and showed up BIG. He gave us a new identity as beloved sons and daughters. He showed us that He was relentlessly pursuing our hearts. He told us that He knows we are a messy people, but that His STRENGTH is perfected in our WEAKNESS.
What did He tell me?
That I am gentle! – We were worshiping one night and as I was praying, one of my squad leaders, Melina, put her hands gently on my back and called out my name. She told me that the Holy Spirit showed her that I was gentle, that I shouldn't be afraid of that, because there is such strength in it. And that God will use that powerfully in the world because there are so many people who need someone to be gentle to them as God is gentle.
Wow! I LOST it at this point. Because it was something that I once knew, but had forgotten about myself because of past hurts. This one moment set the tone for the rest of the week, because God gave me new identity in this. Because He freed me to love as He created me to love (physical touch is my top love language).
Melina (2nd from the left) is an AMAZING woman of God that speaks truth and life!
I could not be more thankful and grateful for God speaking life into me through Melina. It set the foundation for the moving of the Holy Spirit in even greater ways in days following. More to come on that later.
Stay tuned!!!
