I’ve fallen in love with 43 people.
I’ve fallen in love with a King.
And I’ve fallen in love with myself.
Strange what 10 days does to ya, huh? This week at Training Camp was full of beautiful people, beautiful experiences, beautiful joy, and beautiful sadness. I walked into this week with a bitter heart, and closed mind. I didn’t want to make new friends because I was perfectly fine with the ones I had back home. And to be honest, I didn’t want to fall in love with the experience and what I was signed up to do, because I was afraid of what it really entailed. But I did. I fell in love with every aspect of it. I learned and loved people’s stories. I didn’t make friends, I made family. I experienced the Holy Spirit for the first time. And I braided at least 20 people’s hair. You’re all welcome.
This week ended up being so much more than just preparation for the journey I’m about to take. I had my heart broken and put back together again. I realized I wasn’t the only one on Earth who came from a tough past. I saw that I wasn’t the only imperfect person and that I didn’t have to be or look perfect for these people. There was so much love shown that I had never known before, and for that I am so thankful. This week, I cried and laughed harder than I ever have, and I opened myself up to complete strangers. I experienced things at camp that I had never before. Yes, I’m talking about the food, bucket showers, bugs, sleeping scenarios, and being told there were wolves on our campsite when I woke up one morning (Thanks Tiff). But I also experienced incredible and amazing things that I never had before. I experienced the Holy Spirit through prayer one night as I prayed alone and then had one of our leaders pray over me and say the exact same thing I had just prayed. Of course, yes, we cried together and I got a tattoo of what was said. I experienced the Lord speaking to me through listening prayer and told me the exact verse that said He would be coming again. I experienced worship so deep that it shook me to my core and brought me to tears and gave me chills. I experienced acceptance and love by a group of 43 total strangers.
I have a story that’s kind of short, and kind of not, so bear with me. As I was listening to the radio in my car today, I put on a random station. It ended up being a station for Joel Osteen’s sermons. One came on and started talking about how life is what you make it and it’s never too late to go for your dreams. Okay thanks Joel. I’ve heard that about a million times. I was about to shut it off when he said six simple words that gave me chills. He said “where do you pitch your tent?“. Strange. Also very random. Not like I just spent 10 days pitching tents or anything…
I looked up this particular sermon and eventually ended up on his daily devotional site. The piece of scripture at the top read “…I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope…” (Acts 2:26, The Message). The rest of the devotional is a little bit of a read but definitely worth it:
“Where have you pitched your tent today? In other words, what are you expecting to happen in your life this year? What kind of attitude do you have? If your thoughts are stuck and you’re focusing on what’s wrong or what’s not working, then it’s time to dig up your tent stakes! It’s time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. It’s time to move out of the “Not-going-to-happen” subdivision and move out of “Can’t-do-it-ville.” It’s time to pack your bags and move into the land of hope, faith and expectation!
Every time you catch a negative thought and choose to dwell on God’s promises, it’s like you are packing your bags. Every time you declare God’s faithfulness, you are taking a step in the right direction. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. As you turn your focus toward Him, you are pitching your tent in the Land of Hope—a land where His peace, blessing and victory reign forever more.”
This week, all of my shame and guilt have been taken away, and my eyes have been opened. I’ve fallen in love with strangers, with God, with myself, where I’ve come from, and where I am being led. I’m choosing to pack my bags with faith, love, and courage and take a step in the right direction. God has shown me I have nothing to fear and that I am made new and beautiful in him, no matter what the enemy is whispering in my ear. No more hiding. No more excuses. No more doubts. And no more dwelling.
Gap H squad, we’re pitching our tents in the Land of Hope from now on.
