As most of you know I recently graduated and headed to a 10 day training camp. In those 10 days I learned more about myself, my faith, and the kingdom than I ever thought I would. So in this post I’m just going to share with you some of the many things I learned at training.
Live Simply to Simply Live: Obviously on the race we live out of backpacks meaning pack the necessities and and very little clothes. By very little clothes I mean I wore the same outfit for at the very least two or three days straight before changing. By doing this you learn to seriously cut back to only what is needed. However the way training is set up requires you to cut everyday luxuries, for example cell phones, mirrors, showers and flushing toilets. You don’t worry about what you look like or whether you’re dirty or you stink because everyone does. For me this allowed for a lot more direct focus on the Lord and what we were at training to do. It forces you away from yourself in a strange way that allows you to truly live in the moment and embrace what is currently happening around you.
Vulnerability isn’t bad: I hate talking about myself and my problems and my struggles, I just do. During training I learned that unless you can communicate your problems they will weigh you down and never be resolved not only in the real world but in your heart and in your spiritual journey. Written in my journal from one of the first few nights is “you are not a victim to your reality – pain and emotions are vehicles of connection to the Lord – pain can connect you closer to the Lord – stop running from pain and run to the Lord – the Lord will heal all things.” I still do not enjoy talking about my problems but it is something I now know I need to work on and deal with in order to grow on this journey.
You’re never alone in your struggles: By living in close community for 10 days you learn a lot about people. But one of the things that surprised me was how many people struggled with the exact same things I do down to every detail. No matter what you are going through there is someone else in the world with the exact same problems trying to get through it just as you are and in a weird way I believe God uses that to bring people together and to him.
Community=Communication: Community was a huge focus of training and something I think my squad really tried to embrace. To live in true community you have to have good, honest communication with those around you. In my journal I have written “community is the Lords most powerful tool for building the kingdom” “share your perspective – know the power of your words – be constructive – pull others into their greatness”. I believe strongly that other people can see things in you that you cannot see and vice versa. When we see these positive things in others we need to share it with them and give that positive affirmation because it encourages and speaks positivity into them allowing them to receive and then give that positivity back into the world around them. When we see negative things or things that can be improved on we need to also bring those things to light in a positive and constructive way to allow for growth and change that will eventually better the community as a whole.
Live Intentionally : During training we received our team assignments and one of the main things my team wanted to focus on was our intentions. We felt strongly we needed to take this 9 months as a time for setting goals and then trying to grow into them as individuals and as a team. We had several times where we sat down and discussed what we felt we needed to work on and laid out expectations for the next year. I think that intentionally living through the next year will bring a great deal of growth as team, as individuals and in our relationships with the Lord. Also my team is super awesome so here are some dysfunctional pictures of us
Loving and Sharing go hand in hand: Sharing is probably one of the most important things if you ever find yourself at world race training camp. You will share literally EVERYTHING. You will share your meals with 8 people everyday, you will share all of your things because half your squad will “loose” their luggage (and yes everything included toiletries). When someone shares their snacks with you it will be a loving and spiritual moment. Learn to wholly share all the aspects of yourself not just your belongings. When someone shares their time to stay up with you all night because you are sick (shoutout to Miriam and Madison) or shares their story with you use those opportunities to show the love we are asked to show. Give wholly and give freely.
There’s no shame in looking like a fool: I have never experienced such complete and genuine worship as I experienced at training. Being in a room worshiping God with people who are actively seeking him out and pursuing him as you are is one of the most beautiful things. During worship almost every night I would have to take a minute, step back and look and listen in amazement at the worship happening in that place. The spirit truly moves in and through worship.
Training was overwhelming and intense but really amazing. I have been truly blessed with and amazing squad and team filled with some of the most beautiful and genuine people I have ever met and I am so excited to see how we grow in this year.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” ~Ephesians 4:2-6
