It’s difficult to articulate everything that happened in 10 days in a nice, short, comprehensive blog. So, I have decided that instead of trying to share every detail that happened, I would much rather spend my time sharing with you my take-aways. The following are my top 3 take-aways. I hope this gives a picture of what training camp was like and that my experiences minister to you.
(1.) Trust God:
Throughout my time at training camp there were moments where I would stop and say to myself “you are crazy for doing this! Get out now!” I wanted to run away. It was too scary, too difficult, too unfamiliar. Then, something deep inside would assure me that I am exactly where I was meant to be and my anxieties began to fade.
Trusting that God knew what he was doing, that He was in control of my life and that he makes all things work together for my good was a daily decision. Every day I had to wake up and choose to trust in Him. I would say to myself again and again, “His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are greater than my ways.” When we would do team formations, or breakout circles, or I would get into a deep conversation with someone, I would have to remind myself to trust God.
So, my take-away is this… Trust God that when you want to run away, He will give you strength to endure. Trust God when something is too scary, He will give you peace. Trust God when something seems to unfamiliar, He goes before you and knows what lies ahead.
(2.) Be Intentional:
It’s strange to think that in just 10 days the people on my squad went from total strangers to close friends. This didn’t happen overnight and it didn’t happen just because we all showed up at the same place at the same time. It happened because we were intentional.
Each one of us chose to invest in one another. We chose to ask questions that we genuinely wanted to know the answer to. We chose to answer questions and to be open and vulnerable when the time called for it. We intentionally gave one another space when they needed it. And we intentionally gathered together when someone needed encouragement.
So my take-away is this… be intentional with the people around you. We are only given so many hours in a day. Don’t waste that precious time! Ask questions, answer them genuinely, be open, be vulnerable! I can promise you, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do!
(3.) Expect The Unexpected:
In my everyday life, I am one who typically likes structure. I like to have an idea or a plan. I like to have a goal to work towards. I like to know what’s coming next. At training camp, that was not possible!
Training camp taught me that there really are no guarantees, so don’t expect any. Don’t expect “normalcy” when normal is a relative term. Don’t expect to be comfortable because when we are uncomfortable that’s when we change. Training camp showed me that it’s okay to not have a routine. It’s okay to not have everything planned out for the day. It’s okay to be spontaneous. It showed me that when I actually don’t expect things, I am more open to watching God fill in my day.
So here is my take-away…. be okay with the unexpected. Be okay not having it all figured out. Be okay with God orchestrating your day. Be okay with not planning the future and enjoy what’s happening right now. It makes for a more adventurous life!
For future racers….. training camp will be difficult. You will feel uncomfortable. You will do things you didn’t think you could do. You will get emotional. You will probably want to quit. But here is what I ask of you: please push through! Don’t go! Give it all you got! I promise if you do, you’re gonna like the new you!
