Training Camp, oh man, how can I even put it into words? Those ten days spent in Georgia were some of the most challenging, spirit filled days of my life. I was pushed out of my comfort zone, I was highly uncomfortable, and I was broken to the core, but the Lord rewarded me immensely. I felt the Holy Spirit in ways I never have before, I was set free from chains that have held me back for years, God spoke so clearly to me about things I’ve questioned, and I now have many new brothers and sisters in Christ. Freaking awesome, right? And even though I might not have been a fan of the cold bucket showers or the fact that I was constantly sweaty and stinky, I actually miss those things. (say what?) I miss being uncomfortable and being forced to rely on God. Because lets face it, God doesn’t want us to be comfortable. I once saw this quote that said, “when God wants you to grow, He makes you uncomfortable.” Often times we get too comfortable with our every day lives, that we forget about all that God has blessed us with, which ultimately makes it harder for us to grow. For example, being in blazing hot weather all day made me super thankful for air conditioning. Just as taking cold bucket showers made me thankful for my warm shower back home.
Being uncomfortable not only made me more thankful, but it also opened doors for the Holy Spirit to come flooding in. When we’re put in situations where we have to rely on God, what do we typically do? Ask for God’s help, right? Of course! But when we’re comfortable and aren’t in need, we tend to put God on the sidelines and we don’t rely on Him as much. Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Take note, it doesn’t say to take up our cross once a week or whenever we feel like it, it says to take up our cross DAILY. Let me repeat that: DAILY. Choosing to follow God doesn’t come with an off/on switch. It’s something we have to be committed to, even through the hard times. Believe me, surrendering to God can be hard, especially for the type of people who like to be in control of everything, but there is so much freedom that comes with it. Luke 9:24-25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
I can honestly say that choosing to be a follower of Christ, has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but it’s also been the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. Labeling yourself as a Christian makes you a target for the enemy; he wants nothing more than to kill and destroy, but God has equipped us with the tools needed to stand strong and fight.
We are going to be persecuted for our beliefs. We are going to face trials of many kinds. We are going to be broken. But it’s when we are weak that He is strongest. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
DARE TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE
