Let’s rewind to day 1 of training camp: We met our beautiful squad leaders, Erika and Katie. In their introductions, they both said that God gave them the word “bold” for our squad. My initial thought was how far from bold I felt, especially being surrounded by all that energy coming from my group. I like to meet people in person before any other interactions, so I wasn’t very active in our Facebook group before training camp and felt a bit left out.
I signed up for this journey with a lot of fears. Fear that I wasn’t knowledgable enough. Wasn’t mature enough. Wasn’t prepared enough.
For example, I always struggled with praying out loud in front of people. Perhaps there was some fear of what others thought of me when I prayed. Or fear that I was praying the wrong thing. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but there was SOMETHING holding me back.
Thankfully, God’s voice is much stronger than any of the fears instilled in me, and He kept pushing and pushing until I obeyed and signed up for the World Race. I have yet to step foot outside of the country, but there’s not a moment that goes by that I’m not thankful for that push.
After the first few days of training camp and experiencing the Holy Spirit in that physical way, I have noticed a difference in myself. No, the problems in my life did not magically disappear. I’m still far from perfect. However, the fears of not being enough have dimmed. I sense peace and have an easier time speaking truth and being willing to speak truth. I’m trying my hardest to discern God’s voice and to obey when he tells me to pray for that person over there. Or to speak words of encouragement to that other person.
I want people to have a glimpse of the relationship I have with our Father and to have Him speak to them in His way. I want them to know Him in such a real and joyous way that they have the need to tell the people around them. Making disciples of others. A ripple effect.
So we go back to the beginning. I can now resonate with that word God had given to my squad leaders. That word that we take with us every day as we interact with others. Bold.
