My launch to the World Race begins OCTOBER 3rd!! That is just over ONE month away. I. am. Pumped. This also means that I just finished training camp (again). Before I began writing this post about my experience at training, I went and looked back at my blogs and journals from the last time around – October 2018.
Here are some details that were different compared to my last experience at training camp:
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It was HOT. Very hot. I came to LOVE bucket showers because it gave me a few minutes before I started sweating again.
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It was INTIMATE. At last October’s training, there were well over 100 racers. This time, there were about 40.
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It was all about LOVE. God was chasing after me the whole dang time! The overall atmosphere of this camp was about how God feels about ME, Sammiera, and let me tell you, it’s GOOD.
My biggest takeaway from camp this year is relationship with Jesus. You know, I have always known that God loves me. I mean, He created me and He died for me- which are pretty big acts of love in my book! However, this past week it really resonated with me the depths of His love. His love isn’t just for when I am good and looking towards Him. His love chases after me. Think about these verses in Psalm 139: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
Can I be honest for a moment and say that if this wasn’t talking about God, it would be STRAIGHT CREEPY. But, He is so good and kind and wise and comforting and overflowing with love. And that is why this promise is SO SO good. There is no sin that is too deep to hide you in shame from God. Be free!!
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me. You have been so, so good to me.
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me. You have been so, so kind to me.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away.
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me. You have been so, so good to me.
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me. You have been so, so kind to me.
And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. And I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
There’s no shadow You won’t light up. Mountain You won’t climb up. Coming after me!
There’s no wall You won’t kick down. Lie You won’t tear down. Coming after me!
I will sing His praises but I could never ever earn this kind of love. There is such freedom in understanding that. When you sin, God doesn’t see you sin, He sees Jesus and is filled with compassion with what you are going through. He wants to walk with you in all the seasons: seasons of doubt, laziness, hurt, misunderstanding, loneliness, temptation, lust, unforgiveness. We are the prodigal son and He loves us with reckless abandonment.
*While reading this, if you felt like the Lord was leading you to give financially, you can click here to donate!
