I recently spent 10 days at the Adventures in Missions training camp in Georgia, alongside 280 adventurers – 34 of which make up the brand new Expedition Squad. My squad.
I thought I was at Training Camp to prove my worthiness of being on this team, but I quickly realized that God had other plans.
Through the awkward travel scenarios, a 4 mile timed-run with a weighted backpack, 18 miles of Appalachian Trail [with a rolled ankle], bucket showers, cold mornings, team building games and debrief sessions, and constant community-life – the phrase that sums it all up in my mind is this: “Savour the stretch.”
I didn’t come to camp expecting to be comfortable.
I’ve been apart of enough camp-life-scenarios to know the uncomfortable “stretch” brings necessary growth.
On the third day of camp, I rolled my ankle pretty badly during a morning run – enough to momentarily take my breath away and burst a few stars before my eyes.
“How am I going to earn my place on this team now?” I thought.
Over the following days God systematically deconstructed the roots of this performance mindset.
He said: “Heather, I’ve called you to this place and these people, and My opinion is the only one that matters. You have nothing to prove. Be you. That’s enough.”
Sure. I wrestled with those words.
Being “enough” always rung as a negative in my ears.
And it is so easy to compare all that I am not with all the things that 34 other people are….
But God said I was enough – bum ankle and all.
I finally decided to take Him at His word and not hide my insecurities or play up my strengths.
It was time to just be.
He said He’d chosen me for this team – so who am I to argue???
I know my past.
He knows my future.
This Expedition Squad is a unique collection of people. Genuine, passionate, and courageous…so much joy, wisdom, maturity, and desire for unity. I believe that no one has seen most of what these people are capable of. Not because they are purposely holding back or hiding. No – I believe a time of unveiling is coming.
This squad is unique.
This squad won’t be deterred by circumstances, distance, or identity. We know who we are. And God knows who we are becoming.
“That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.” Romans 8:19-21 (MSG)
I am excited for the unveiling of the riches and gifts within this Expedition Squad, and for the road that lies ahead of us.
Savour the Stretch. It’s worth it.
