Hey! So this is mostly for those headed to Training Camp soon…
I am crazy pumped you're doing the Race! (There's nothing else like it.) And I am crazy pumped you're headed to Training camp soon. (Nothing else like that either.) It's going to be awesome…because you're awesome, your future squadmates are awesome and AIM staff and volunteers are awesome. And God is awesome.
So when you're there, let go and let it all happen. And more specifically…be genuine…just, be your genuine self. (It's actually much harder than a lot of folks realize.) Here's an example of what I'm talking about…
Heading into Training Camp, I really wanted to be designated a team leader. Not only that, I thought I should have been designated a team leader. I was, in my mind, a mature man who was capable of leading others into greatness. I was also the oldest guy on the squad, and thought it fitting to be put in a place of leadership. You know what? I also had lots of personal issues about needing to be validated, and needing to be seen as, and feel, influential. Wanting to be a leader was about me, not about God's kingdom. Me wanting to be a leader didn't include me being fully genuine with those around me (because I needed to look and act like a leader if I was going to be thought of as one.) Trying to be a leader didn't include me fulling trusting in AIM staff/volunteers or my squad. (I needed to show them I was a leader…I didn't trust they had the capability to see leadership on their own, nor to be led by the Lord in recognizing leaders.) And it definitely didn't include me trusting my Papa very much.
You know what? I got chosen as a leader. In fact, I was a leader throughout my entire 11 month Race. You know what else? It was pretty friggin' miserable for me. I wanted to step down from that role, but never did…because of how it would look, what people would think, how it would make me feel, etc. Stepping down would mean I didn't have what it takes to "push through". It would mean I was weak. It would mean I had little-to-no value. It would mean not being a part of the "leadership team" and all that goes along with it. It would mean people didn't think highly of me.
Later…much, much later, I discovered all that was a total load of fat BS.
I wish…I really wish I had just chilled the heck out and been myself. There is so much freedom in that. There is no freedom in trying to get people to see what you want them to see in you. There is no freedom in trying to prove your worth to yourself (or anyone else). It will only wear you down, tire you out, and drown your spirit in misery. Eff that noise! Life is too short, and you are too awesome to be focused on all that crap.
So listen up. Right now.
God sees you and is pleased. Not with your growth, service, or accomplishments. He is pleased with YOU. He was pleased with you when you were being created. He was excited and giddy on your actual birthday. He'd been waiting for that day!! He was pleased with you when you were two and throwing up and crying and were just a hot mess of dirty diapers, not able to do a single thing for yourself. He doesn't think you're incredible…He knows it. He thinks the world of you. Out of being able to have anything in His life, He chose you. Sit in that. Soak that up. Let that fill you to the point where any other opinion is secondary.
So…at Training Camp, don't try to impress anyone. Just don't. Not because "impressing people is wrong"…but because there's no freedom for you in that. You, being genuinely, awesomely you….be THAT and nothing else. There's freedom in that!
The enemy may try to get you worked up about leadership. He may try to convince you leaders are more important and you should be one. He may try to convince you that you could "do it better" than others. He may try and convince you that leaders on the World Race are special people who are more popular, more liked and more approved of than everyone else. That joker is LYING to you. Straight up lying to you.
The TRUTH?
Everyone….everyone in God's Kingdom is fully equal, fully important. We exist on a totally level playing field. Why. Because of Jesus. We're all equal…and then there's Jesus. You and Tim Tebow? Equal. You and Billy Graham? Equal. You and that homeless guy who's addicted to crack? Equal. So don't try to distinguish yourself. God alread has distinguished you…because you're the only one of you to ever exist. Boom. You're distinguished. Then there's everyone else…fantistically weird and talented and wonderful and beatiful and different and exquisite.
So just chill out and BE YOURSELF. (The ones who are themselves have the most fun and the deepest experiences anyway. In all of life. Fo' real.)
I'm close to rambling and repeating myself so I'll shut it down now.
Oh…one last thing. The enemy will also try to convince you that leadership is about a position of authority over other people. Don't fall for it. He's LYING! Leadership is about humility and trust in your FATHER, HIS SON and THEIR HOLY SPIRT.
Now go and let God blow your mind, while having one of the best weeks, with some of the best people, of your life!
