2nd Timothy 2:2-6 (MSG)
Pass on what you heard from me – the whole congregation saying Amen! – to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce.”
Walking through the airport by yourself, with a huge backpack on your back and a day pack strapped to your chest, you look pretty funny. People stare with curiosity and wonder where you’re going or why on earth you have so much stuff packed onto your body. It’s quite a humorous image, if you ask me.
But somehow I knew that looking funny with all this gear on me was just the beginning of looking different.
Fast Forward, and I am in Gainesville, GA, campin’ in a field with 50 other strangers, and heading into a room packed with another 150 racers.
30 seconds into our first worship session I felt the Holy Spirit exploding His presence throughout the building. That is when I knew that I was about to get my world rocked and I was stoked about it!
If you are looking for a summary on Training Camp, its simple.
You get completely rocked, stripped and built back up again with strangers that very quickly become your family! Your heart grieves and then see’s light. You reflect and learn. You’re challenged and stretched to new and unfamiliar lengths. You are given a vision and your heart grows ten fold.
You are reminded of the honor and privilege you have with being called onto the Race.
Jesus was quick to show up and gentle at guiding me into a place of raw oneness with Him. I learned more about what the Holy Spirit has to offer and how much power is behind Him. I struggled with letting go of shame but found new life and joy when I laid it down at the foot of the cross.
Training camp showed me a new level of being a disciple for Jesus.
Jesus sweetly reminded me of what His initial vision was for being a disciple in His world. When you decide to abandon yourself from your flesh, you find your true spirit in Jesus. Your heart comes alive, booming with excitement and curiosity to find more of Him. When you are a disciple for Jesus, you are called to leave your earthly desires at the door and become a piece of clay in the Potter’s hands.
You will look weird to the world because you are living different. People won’t understand why you want to go out into the nations to spread the Gospel rather than getting your degree or making tons of money. It will be hard for other’s to understand that you are willing to abandon anything when Jesus calls your name to follow Him down the less traveled road. As a disciple you are a living sacrifice. I am a living sacrifice. We don’t conform to the patterns of this world because we are called to be a different for Jesus.
My “job” is to be a Disciple that goes and makes more Disciples. I won’t be understood by everyone and some will resist. However, Jesus calls me to abandon myself and my selfish desires and worries in order to partner with Him and other brothers and sisters to GO and do whatever it takes to spread His love. He loves me so that I can love on others. He gives me gifts so that I can pass them on. I received Him so that I can give more of Him across the Nations.
Training camp, lit my heart on fire and showed me how committed I am to following Him. I want to look different to the world.
I’m okay with looking different.
I want to be the diligent farmer.
I want that honor.
Matthew 8:22
“But Jesus told him, Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
