Dear BTC (Before-Training-Camp) Self,
Let me just start out with: You have no idea what kind of week you’re in for. I know you don’t really have any concrete expectations for what’s ahead, just a vague, general sense of uncertain certainty that life is about to change. For better or for worse.
My advice? Just embrace it. Abandon your fear, your worries, your anxiety, your doubts, and just jump in. Dive head first into the week. Put yourself out there & open yourself up fully to that life-altering encounter with Jesus. Don’t hold back any bit of yourself. Yes, that may be an effective self-defense mode, but it’s also extremely successful in locking you out from receiving the total potential of the experience. Fencing yourself in also shuts everyone else out, Jesus included.
Fear is scary and uncomfortable and debilitating, but it’s also your security blanket. You’re used to living in bondage to fear, whether it’s fear of creepy-crawly bugs or fear of vulnerability or fear of the unknown or fear of chaos or fear of danger … and the list goes on. And you hate it, but you also hate the idea of living without fear, because that is so completely foreign to you and as we’ve established, you fear the unknown (oh, what a tangled web we weave). Bottom line: You’ve caged yourself. And you’re not doing you or anyone else any favors by clinging to those bars. Let go, and surrender yourself to Jesus’ more than capable hands. Because I promise you, 200%, that He has got you. He’s got this.
So just say no. Say NO to the lies that whisper and declare your worthlessness and insecurities and shame, that tell you that you are not enough, that you are less than what you are. Say NO to any hardening of your heart, or the justification that it’s for your protection. Say NO to making judgments about other people and the potential for your relationship with them. Say NO to stubborn pride and your desire to appear strong & put together & in control. Say NO to anything that hinders you from running after Jesus, and living His love, fearlessly – in your heart & soul as well as in community.
Shake off them shackles and soar, babe. If you can do that, I guarantee you that no matter the challenges and stretching moments of training camp (and there will be many of those, for sure), you will stand steady on the Rock that is Jesus. And you will come away with a richness in your faith and in your fellowship with the people who are to be your family for the next year of your life.
Don’t walk away from the week with any regrets. Give your all, and you will be astounded by how much Jesus will replenish that and more.
Be excited, hold on to the joy of Christ, and be relentless in pursuit of Him.
Life is so much more than your bubble!
Just trust me on this. (;
PS. Your team is awesome. The end.
