Journal entry from June 5, 2014. Day 2 of Month 10. Romania.
“Another vision this morning during worship. Another picture, another encouragement from You. I was walking down a pier, extending out over an ocean and all I could see was the sky reflecting the colors of the sunset ahead. Vibrant orange, coral, red and yellow expanding in front of me but I couldn’t see the sun. I was content to stay where I was, in awe of the rainbow sky. But You urged me to keep walking to the end because You had more, something better for me to see. You wanted me see the burning sun at the end of the pier, gently brushing the edge of the water’s horizon. When I finally reached the end, tired and exhausted, I stood there staring at the ball of fire and – watched, basking in its beauty.
Father, I hear you saying ‘keep pressing in, keep walking boldly because freedom is coming.’ Freedom is coming to me and freedom is coming to my squad. We are almost to the end of the race, to the end of the pier and we can see the colors. But You want to show us the sun so we can see the full picture, the full experience of freedom. So we need to keep walking so we can go home changed, different, beautiful as You declare over us, ‘Good job my good and faithful servants. Good job.’”
Journal entry from July 23, 2014. Last day of Month 11. Albania.
"Tonight, my heart is full as tears of joy, thankfulness and astonishment stream down my face. What a way to end this month – or better yet, to end the Race. I feel so honored and blessed to have been there tonight as Emily was made new as she immersed from the water. In her white shirt and flowers in her hair- she looked like a flawless bride as if the chains that had held her prior to the race were gone. She was radiate, she was beaming, she was free. And then getting to do worship with my Vsquad family on the beach- something I have always dreamed about doing. Getting to worship You as I looked out at Your beautiful creation – and to be able to do it on an Albania beach at sunset, it was perfect. You were there Father, Your presence was surrounding us and Your Spirit was burning inside of us.
And the sight that I saw as I turned to watch the sun that was setting over the water – I was overwhelmed as I fell to my knees in complete adoration and astonishment at the sight. Vibrant colors of red, pink and yellow streaked across the sky as the sun was a huge fire ball, igniting the horizon and proudly reflecting it’s own beauty in the water. And as I looked to the right of the sun…there it was. The pier. The pier made of white rocks jetting out of the peninsula, the same one I had seen in my vision two months ago.
This was it.
This was what You had been promising me and my squad for two months.
To finish the race strong.
To keep walking, keep fighting and keep pressing in.
So we could see the whole picture and experience freedom like never before.
And there we were, singing at the top of our lungs the words that You placed on our hearts:
“Freedom reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace,
falling on every face,
there is freedom.”
This is why You called me to the race.
This is why You called my squad to the race.
You wanted to have that moment with me and with my squad.
For us to stand in awe on our last day of this season as Your promise was finally fulfilled.
We did it.
We finished well as You declare over us “Good job, my good and faithful servants. Good job.”
We are ending this season trusting in Your faithfulness
And walking confidently in Your freedom.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will
not grow wear and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
{The verse that has been taped on my bedside wall this whole month. He truly answers)
