An explosion of the heart (training camp)

Hey everyone! This is Josh writing here. As you might have guessed my heart did not actually explode physically but it certainly did spiritually at training camp! God met us in such a real way during our time at training camp. I have never experienced the presence of God like that before. Chains of my heart fell off and freedom came as we worshipped God and heard from his word. I went to training camp not really knowing what to expect. It was about 100 degrees every day with 100 percent humidity. We tented and camped out for all 10 days. It was definitely one of the most challenging weeks of my life but also at the same time one of the most growing weeks of my life. Bri and I were stinky, sweaty, and filthy but never more content. God did so much that week it would take me a month just to write it all down but I will share a couple things that he taught me while there. The first is that I do not have to be on the “stage of performance” in order for him to love me more. The love of God is perfect and unconditional. We get all of his love and He holds none of it back. He loved us before we loved him. While we were still sinners Christ died for us! That is an amazing love that blows me away every time I try to sit down and think about it. We can never do anything to win God’s love. He has given it freely as a gift. He loved the world so much that he GAVE. I have spent way too much of my Christian life wondering if God loves me, or thinking he was so mad or disappointed with me. Feelings of doubt, worthlessness, not being good enough for God to love, and guilt over sin and past mistakes had plagued me for so long until that truth finally clicked at training camp. The truth I have known in my head for so long finally began to infect my heart and the result was freedom and worship! The truth is this: If you are a Christ follower then you are also a child of God. Romans tells us that we have been spiritually adopted into God’s family. God is the perfect father who loves his kids with a perfect love. It isn’t based on our performance but rather it is based on his grace and mercy. We are his kids and this means that you are now a son or daughter of the most high King! We are royalty in the kingdom of God. We are joint heirs with Jesus! That is soooooooo awesome! Try thinking about that next time you go to sing worship to Jesus in church and I promise you will sing differently. The second thing I took away from camp was a greater appreciation for community. We lived with 140 or so people during this time and I have never felt more instantly connected to people in my entire life. Most of the people there I felt like had known for the longest time. I can only explain this feeling as the bond of Christ. It was incredible. I walked into camp and met 140 total strangers and I walked out with 140 family members. Community is so important to have in your life. It not only provides an amazing amount of encouragement, love and support but it also provides you with accountability from people who truly love and care for you and desire to see you live in God’s will for your life.