Written by Chelsey —
Its been about a week since Training Camp… I have so many things I want to share, including the dirty details of training camp and the crazy stuff we were asked to do, but that would ruin all the fun for upcoming World Racers. What I do want to share with you is this:
Upon pulling up to training camp, my anxiety level was at an all time high. All my fears were creeping in and telling me "You aren't cut out for this" and "You aren't going to get along with anyone, no one will like you". At one point I wanted to grab the steering wheel and head for home.
After meeting my team and setting up camp, we had an evening gathering and worship service. People starting raising their hands and singing and dancing, and praying out loud. I was seriously freaked out. For pretty much my whole life, I've thought that people who do these things are looking for attention. After all, I can worship God just fine by standing quietly with my hands folded, right?
I went to bed with a negative attitude and woke up with a heavy heart.
But then our guest speaker talked about the limitations we place on God and His power. Funny how God works, right? Of COURSE the guy would speak about that. He spoke about the tendency for us to limit God based on the experiences we've had in the past. I had never raised my hands in worship, therefore I thought that God couldn't move in me to raise my hands. God has never healed someone in front of me, therefore, God doesn't heal anymore.
HAHA, not TRUE!! One night, a teammate of mine was healed. Im not joking around, and I experienced it with my own eyes. Jacob had worn hearing aids in both ears since 1st grade. The Lord led another teammate to lead our entire camp into prayer for healing of Jacob's hearing. He went the rest of the week without hearing aids. Its crazy, but its real and our God is real. His power is real. I had boxed God up in a little container that was too small for Him!!
Little by little, day by day, I allowed God to show me His power. I allowed Him into a part of my heart that wasn't allowed in before. Each day, I felt as if God was using a chisel on my heart to bust off pieces of fear and disbelief.
God also chiseled off a facade that I've kept for so long. I've struggled with pursuit for perfection my entire life. I've always tried to be the perfect daughter, perfect sister, perfect wife, perfect image and example to everyone around me. I've robbed myself of so many things by fearing imperfection.
What I didn't realize was that my facade was keeping me from true FREEDOM. Freedom to love others whole-heartedly, freedom to live (really live), and freedom to worship! But God kept chiseling.
I raised my hands, I praised God with my WHOLE heart, not just the compartment set aside for worship. I felt my chest and it actually felt like a pillow. I praised Him as a child of Christ, who doesn't need to be perfect because His power is perfected in my weakness!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
THAT IS FREEDOM!
Over the course of this week, I have grown to love each and every one of my teammates that are sharing the next year with me. We were placed in teams this week, and I am so proud to announce our team "Raised to Life" to you all 🙂 My wonderful husband Luke will be leading our team of 7 as we embark on the World Race! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel to the nations together and spread the love of Jesus Christ!
Team Raised to Life: Gabe Sanchez, Tia Roberts, Drea Stadler, Sidney Ann Folwer, Joan Moore, and Luke and Chelsey Duffney!
Thank you Jesus for this team of amazing people. Starting with training camp, we have been raised to a new life in Christ, one without limitation! We have seen His power, and expect to see Christ raise others to life in Him over the course of this next year!
