What have I said yes to?
This was my thought the first few days of training camp for the World Race. I had packed up my stuff, flown to Atlanta, and then driven to the middle of the woods in nowhere Georgia for 10 days of training. I had no idea what to expect, and no amount of blogs or advice or anything could have prepared me for what I would experience in that week and a half.
And. it. was. Amazing.
Training camp was hard, and fun, and frustrating, and exciting, and joyful, and hot (SO HOT, you guys), and worshipful, and healing, and surprising. And good. Training camp was so many things, but ultimately, I think it was good.
In 10 days, I learned a lot. I learned how little I actually need to survive and how much I love trying strange foods and being with people. I learned that bucket showers create a special kind of bond between people, that teamwork makes the dream work, and that the earth really does proclaim the glory of the Lord.
I learned that 48 strangers can become a family in 10 days, and that the body of Christ is complex and beautiful and necessary. I learned that everyone has something to offer and that God made us capable of so much more than we realize. I learned that I don’t have all the answers, and that it’s okay because God isn’t finished with me yet.
I learned that laughter enhances life and sometimes you just need to dance. I learned not to take things too seriously. I learned a whole lot about myself and about God and about community.
I learned a little bit more what it looks like to follow Jesus- here at home or in Thailand or at school or wherever I find myself. I love that about following God- it can start wherever, with whomever, whenever. It can occur through the most unexpected of people in the least expected of circumstances. It doesn’t have to happen through an organization or an across-the-world-move or something like that. Following Jesus simply happens with a “here I am, Lord,” with a yes.
So as I sit here, I think about what I’ve said yes to for the next year (and for life).
I’ve said yes to giving up my normal comforts. And in that, I’ve realized that God is the only Comfort I truly need and that many things are worth more than comfort anyway. I’ve heard countless times “that life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and it makes sense. I mean, being uncomfortable stretches and pushes me, but in the end, I’ve done something I have never done, and I end up becoming someone I couldn’t have been before . Plus, God doesn’t asks me to be comfortable, He asks me to follow Him. And I’ve said yes.
I’ve said yes to laying down the life the world tells me I should have in order to gain the life God created for me. And it is not easy. But it is worth it- God promises a life far more abundant than anything I can imagine, and I want to lay down whatever I have to in order to pick up that life, to know God like He says I can and to live like He created me to!
I’ve said yes to surrendering. To surrendering my identity and the things I have placed my worth and purpose in, and to then find who I truly am in Christ. To surrendering my pride, my plans, and my weaknesses at the feet of Jesus and to receiving His grace, His plan, and His righteousness as He makes me more like Himself.
I’ve said yes to following, to loving, to obeying God and to going wherever He asks me to go. I’ve said yes to having my world rocked and to being changed. I’ve also probably said yes to many things I don’t yet realize I have said yes to.
When it all boils down to it, by His grace, I’ve said yes to God. I’ve said yes to Him because He first said yes to me- yes to creating me and redeeming me and loving me for eternity. He said yes to adopting me and restoring me so I can be with Him forever as His cherished daughter. And after He said that yes to me, I can say yes to anything for Him.
Whatever He’s asking of you, I can assure you, it will be worth it. Just go for it, take the chance. Say yes.
It’ll be the best thing you ever do.
