My 4th of July weekend in the mountains of North Carolina was perfect, filled with gentle summer breezes, corn on the cob, laughter and friends. On our last day we pumped up the tubes and floated down the aptly named New River. Little did I know that during the next 10 days, the Lord was going to be taking me down a new river of His own at World Race Training Camp.
Get in the River, Bro
The Georgia heat and humidity meant that at the end of long days, with a thin (okay let’s be real, thick) layer of grime covering my skin, bucket showers never felt so good. The thing about bucket showers is that first jug of cold water will take your breath away, but each jug after that is so incredibly refreshing.
Abba poured His love and freedom out our squad in cool, refreshing buckets. But unlike a bucket that eventually runs dry, His love and freedom are limitless – there is no bottom to His bucket. He taught me so much about new levels of relationship and how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is.
I was also so deeply touched by the countless stories of each of my unique squad mates. I met 37 new people who captivated my heart by their willingness to jump into the river of His love, freedom and joy. Vulnerability opens the floodgates to living in open, honest community where we can encourage each other, speak the truth in love and love each other in a way that reflects Christ’s love for us.
“Take me out to the middle of the river, I wanna drown in the good ol’ river of Your love. I found my freedom in the river, found my freedom in the river of Your love.”
W Squad
He’s a Good Good Father
Spending 10 nights unsure of your sleeping arrangements will definitely teach you some things about feeling safe and secure. In the security of my awesome tent, I was safe from all kinds of bugs who may or may not have been trying to eat me alive. But, during our squad campout where we all slept out in the forest I kept one eye open to make sure a spider didn’t crawl down my sleeping bag or up my nose.
Where you find your shelter directly affects how safe you think you are which impacts your fears and behaviour. The Lord showed me what it really means to find my shelter in Him. During the very first night of worship, I let the reality of God being a good, good father who loves us truly soak into even deeper depths of my heart. I feel completely safe and secure in His Presence, I am untouchable under His wings.
When we find our identity as sons and daughters in the Father, we are no longer concerned with how well we can perform, or whether we are good enough, or whether we smell okay (trust me, the training camp aroma is real) because we understand what it means to be safe and secure.
“You’re a good good Father, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
and I am loved by You, it’s who I am, it’s who I am”
W Squad Campsite
Stand Up
Training camp was incredibly stretching, pushing me to my limits physically, emotionally and spiritually. More than anything I realized that apart from Him, I can do nothing. When I tried to do things on my own strength I became so overwhelmed with the weight of responsibility and the reality of the Race. I was getting in my own way and before I knew it I was a crumpled crying heap on the floor.
But Abba helped me stand up and spoke so much life into me that I came face to face with the fact that His strength is more than enough, I can plan my way but the Lord directs my steps and I can live in freedom from anger, unforgiveness, bitterness and insecurity.
When I let the Lord lead, my strength is renewed, I can soar on wings like eagles and He makes me into the person I was destined to be. He gives us good gifts, fulfills promises and has given me an amazing team to do life and ministry with.
“When I move, you move just like that”
Team Submerge427
Psalm 42:7 “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls. All Your waves and billows have gone over me.”
