Summary: This is the second of two blogs on my experience at training camp, about what I learned about my squad, the people I will be living with for the next year.
Sojourners. My squad (of 46 people) decided to name ourselves the sojourners. This word basically means nomadic people. In this, I am reminded that we are only here for a stay and that this World is not our home. To be a Christian is to have your heart and mind set on the Kingdom, our eternal home. I preface with this because I truly believe that each member of my team has proved our name to be true and has a mind set on things from the Kingdom of God.
We are a united church, a family adopted into the kingdom. I can’t tell you what a blessing it was to get to know these members of my squad over training camp. I learned that there are prayer warriors on my team, that there are God given talents of all kinds, and that there are hearts full of love and kindness. It was like we immediately made the unspoken decision that we would be a family, no questions asked. All of us recognized ourselves as parts of a whole, as paintbrushes the Lord was using to create a masterpiece. I absolutely love that about my squad.
My squad is also committed to servanthood. They are here to serve God first, but also to serve others selflessly and radically. The notion pop media is handing out that we should only put into a relationship the effort that the other person is also willing to put in is not at all what Christ calls us to do. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus says, “ You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Being a friend is an action on your part, not on the part of the other person. My squadmates know and live this to be true. There was unconditional love shown in the form of servanthood to one another at Training Camp.
I think it is safe to say that I see these people being brothers and sisters to me on the race and throughout my life to come. If you would like to read more about the hearts of my team members in their own words, feel free to follow them on their World Race blogs listed below!
Jonathanbaker.theworldrace.org
*While reading this, if you felt like the Lord was leading you to give financially, you can click here to donate!
