I think whenever we are pushed into new situations with different people who carry alternative thought structures God gives us a choice as to how we can react. Ok, that’s kind of a weighty thought, but think about it: Novelty can give us opportunities to make critical choices we otherwise wouldn’t need to make. Have you been there too? Yes? No? If you have, you know it can be an unnerving place to look up and find yourself.
Well, during the World Race training camp I remember looking up and realizing that’s where I was: an entirely new scenario. There were countless new faces, challenging new environments (two words: bucket shower), a new church culture/atmosphere, new languages and clichés being thrown around, new ways of eating food (1 plate/bowl for 8 people) and new thoughts shared about God. True, I’ve encountered similar newness before but never like I had at training camp. This newness was NEW. And I felt like God was consistently challenging me throughout the 10-day camp by forcing me to decide how I was going to react.
Here’s a couple scenarios that will hopefully help make better sense of my wordy mess.
Within the first couple hours at camp, I could tell I was in foreign territory: I was surrounded by energetic extroverts who love Jesus. Hugs, high-fives, loud hand motions and high-pitched chatter flowed from seemingly everyone around me (never mind that extroverts are the easiest people to spot in crowds anyway). This introvert STRUGGLED. But after I’d gotten all moved in on Day 1, the Lord lovingly pulled me aside. He reminded me that I could either pair myself off from interacting and shut down or I could take advantage of the energy and eagerness people had and use that as a doorway to meet/get to know others.
Here’s another instance.
During one of the immersive night worship sessions, a new friend of mine came up behind me, saying that God wants to tell me something. I listened, although I was a little hesitant to hear what she was going to say. She said God wanted me to know that I can relax when I worship Him. I don’t have to work and worry because worship will just come freely; I can relax and enjoy His intimacy. Well, it was difficult to not be affected by that. But still, God gave me a choice: I could brush off her words, giving theological arguments against my friend’s message or I could humbly admit that maybe the Holy Spirit really did give her that message and I should take it to heart.
I’ll give you one more illustration.
Two days before the end of camp, we were put into the smaller teams (6-7 people) with whom we are going to be spending the majority of our time doing ministry work. At the end of our final team building activity, our team had a little heart-to-heart about what we thought about our teammates. Truly, most of us were hesitant to claim this as our group. Yet, we were encouraged to openly edify each other and discuss each person’s strengths in front of everyone. And you know what? Slowly the atmosphere changed. Wonder at the possibilities before us set in. Yet again, the Lord presented a choice: I could stubbornly cling to my caution/apprehension like my life depended on it or I could admit and walk in the hope and anticipation being born in me for my team.
I realize that this blog could drift towards becoming a discussion on free will vs determinism, and but that’s not what I’m wanting to accent here. I believe God wanted to accomplish much in me and grow me and stretch me in many ways during training camp. And so He did because the Lord is devoted to fulfilling His will! But He also desires that I work with Him, that we walk together in the details. And in that, there is an aspect of choice. How much choice does He give us? I don’t fully know, but I do know that relationships aren’t one-sided. It takes two to tango.
World Race training camp did one of the best things in me that I could never have anticipated it doing: it reminded me of the importance of actively choosing to let myself be affected by the Lord at my core. Sometimes, on this journey, I’m going to need to buy the ticket to get on the ride, whether I know what He’s up to or not. I’ll have to buy-in, open up and be adjustable in order to learn and experience what He wants me to learn/experience. I so want that attitude. I want that for my entire squad.
And this piece is crucial…the Lord lets us choose BECAUSE He loves us like crazy.
I’ve recently been listening to a stellar song called “Aftermath” by Fever Fever, and I want to share the goodness! Hope you enjoy it too!
