I have wrestled with how I wanted to blog about my first couple of days in Cusco, Peru. Part of me wanted to be vulnerable with my struggles but also a part of me wanted to mask my discomfort and only highlight the good parts of the last few days. Cusco, Peru is a very vibrant and beautiful city filled with soft smiles and friendly faces. I have fallen in love with the people, culture, and tea (coca) Ha!
However, I did not just come here to adventure off into the city. Cusco, Peru is where our training camp is being held. What that ultimately means is that for the first 11 days we are being stretched, exposed, and filled with wisdom from our incredible leaders Karen & Tim. For most, that might sound exciting and wonderful but for me that has been quite the challenge. Talk about way out of my comfort zone! Why you may ask? Well because I am not accustomed to community 24/7. I value my “me time” and getting to know 10 different souls is just mentally exhausting to me. Moreover, one of my least favorite things to do is being vulnerable with people — which is something that is required more often than not on this race. My Squad and the Leadership team have done an amazing job encouraging and loving on me while also speaking life into me but I have continued to struggle day in and day out. Almost to the point where I wanted to give in to the lies that the enemies has used to attack me with. Lies that say I am not qualified enough or that I don’t fit in BUT today that all changed as I listened to a podcast by T.D Jakes about the Crushing and how God turns pressure into power and I felt rejuvenated. It spoke about the importance of being crushed so that He can enable you to soar. Crushing is the process and soaring is the promise! We cannot have promise without the process. Those God is going to anoint the most, God is going to crush the most. The things that I think will disqualify me, will actually be the place of power. The reason why God allowed me to be crushed early was so I could find my strength in Him. Like Philippians 4:12 states: “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need”. Because God loves me, it’s not punishment but preparations of what is to come. My job is to glorify God in every situation that I am in. “To him that much is given, much is required” that is why I should not despise the preparation but instead embrace it!
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