I’m Emily Werness and I made it through the wilderness of World Race Training Camp!
How was it you ask?
Overwhelming. Challenging. Strengthening. Exciting. Exhausting.
But let’s be real, how can I fit what God did this past week into just a few words? The honest answer is I can’t. But, here is what I got:
-Each member of L squad was handpicked by God to form the amazing team we are and will become – so exciting and encouraging
-I experienced bucket showers for the first time (yes I did take more than one!)
-I got bit by a bunch of fire ants the first night while setting up my tent
-L SQUAD WON SQUAD WARS BABY #Lyeah #proud
-My squad has some crazy talent when it comes to dancing
-Daddy long legs are a lot bigger in Georgia
But, on a more serious note, God shook me this week. He took what I know and what I am familiar with and turned it all upside down. He opened my eyes to two expectations I didn’t realize I was holding in my heart when I showed up in Gainesville:
- I would be stepping up as a leader in some capacity
- I would be on a mixed team with men and women
The Lord turned both of those around and I am thrilled to announce that I am on a team with 6 other beautiful women of God and that I am not taking on any leadership roles! At first I was disappointed and confused at what God is doing, but He used one of the activities to open my eyes to a truth I have been fighting against for a while.
There was a plane crash. All of us lived, but with several injuries and ailments. Our mission: to make the trek across camp to safety – getting all of our team there together. I was blind and maimed (lost an arm and a leg), so that made it quite difficult for me to put my normal problem solving skills into action – I was enveloped in darkness – only able to feel the steady shoulder of my team member, using her for balance and to hear her calm, firm voice directing me forward.
I was helpless on my own.
(We all made it to safety – don’t worry.) While we were debriefing, this thought directly from my Father seeped into my heart and saying it out loud felt like releasing a long held breath, “It was nice to just let myself be led.” I feel the Lord is speaking this theme over my Race, not just in my team and my squad, but with Him and the Holy Spirit. I am so used to taking control of all aspects of my life (or at least trying to anyway) and relying solely on my own shoulders to take it all on. I admit, as the Lord revealed to me at camp, I’m not sure I know how to be led, or what it really means to follow. I believe the Race will be a time for God to take me and completely unveil new parts of me – through ways that are uncomfortable and unfamiliar – this process has already begun at camp. The Lord shook me up this week and brought me into territory I didn’t know – and I definitely struggled against it at first.
But, my Father is good and patient. He is letting me know that it’s okay to let go and just let things happen – to let myself be led.
Yes, I was shaken, but my heart is also stirred, like embers in a fire, burning slow and hot, glowing and growing with each new breath of life. I want to do this well! I feel such a burning desire for more. More of this, more change, more of my team, more challenges, which all ultimately lead me to more of Him.
I know in my gut God has brought my team together for great things to glorify Him and that is what really gets me going!!
These are my ladies (missing Martha though!!)
I’m Emily Werness and let’s do this Father!
