If I were to describe training camp in one word, I would choose chaos. No schedules (that we knew of anyways), stuff getting lost, crazy challenges with a squad of people, soaking wet packs, food from different countries, dance offs…the list continues! But, as the title suggests, through chaos, the Holy Spirit was revealed! (For those of you who are confused by the title I’ll give you a hint… mnkHetrOpkLcnjYwguSbfkPqwgImkxRzduIpknTnmk) All week we were asked to silence our hearts and listen for the Holy Spirit through different exercises. All week I heard nothing. I would close my eyes and all I would see was darkness and all I would hear is silence. I was frustrated when there were people around me feeling the spirit as I just stood by and watched, trying to soak it all in. It was about half way through the week that I realized that the Holy Spirit doesn’t reveal Himself to everyone in the same way, and that was when I heard Him speak. Not in a quiet whisper in my soul. Not in a picture that only I could see. Not in some spectacular display like a burning bush. He spoke to me through people. Ordinary, God loving people.
Here are a few examples. On the second night, we were worshiping, the band was playing, we were told to let God’s love come into us and listen for His word, and the staff were going around and praying for people. As I stood there silent, getting frustrated with how little I could participate in worship with my voice being gone, I sighed and said to God, “Is this even where you want me? Am I even supposed to be here right now?” Moments later, a staff member came over and began praying for me. Then she turned to me and said “God is telling me that He is so glad you are here and that you are going to do so great!” Another night, my fears were calmed by a staff member telling me that she kept hearing “protector, God is your protector” on a night when I was more terrified than ever before. Or on the last morning of team formation, when a small group of individuals sat down at a table for the first time and I just knew that this would be my team for the next year! God works in so many incredible ways. We won’t always see him in glorious displays or quiet rustles; most often, He works through those who love Him.
