I don't know what I expected to find when I hopped into a car with three complete strangers and started off for White, GA for Training Camp. My first encounters with these girls were different from other first encounters I have had. I experienced a tension – the feeling that something wasn't quite right about driving through the night with these crazy people and the feeling that I already knew them, so why was this strange? When you're flying through Birmingham, AL at four o'clock in the morning and the person in the passenger seat is trying to keep you awake as they desperately struggle not to succumb to drowsiness themselves, you find the conversation trail twisting and turning to any imaginable topic. As Chelsea and I bonded in the wee hours of the morning, I started to realize that these people I was going to spend a week with were not just people, but brothers and sisters that were crazy passionate for God.
On Wednesday or Thursday, at least three days removed from my last shower, I found myself surrounded by others in a similar situation at worship that night. I listened to the words of the song we were singing as we transitioned to a new verse and I opened my eyes. The phrase was similar to our previous refrain, but this new verse was profoundly different.
“There's an army rising up
To break every chain”
I surveyed the room, I mean the outdoor pavilion, packed to capacity with hundreds of people. My brothers and sisters, the crazy people at training camp, are that army. Through all of the sessions, the worship, the encouragement, and the challenges, we are preparing to embark on our campaign.
I LOVE war movies: God's and Generals, Patriot, Saving Private Ryan, etc. The pump-up speech the general gives his troops before battle never fails to give me goosbumps. “You are the first brigade!” or “They'll never take our freedom!” Like a general, God calls his people to take up their weapons and ride into the world to do battle. God is not the coach who inspires his players at halftime and smacks them on the butt as the run out to take the field. He is more, so much more. His Holy Spirit lives inside us and joins us in the battle. “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God!”
Leading up to training camp, I was looking forward to next year. In my post-training camp world, I am beyond excited about what God will be doing next year! I know for sure that this where he wants me to be and that I am with His soldiers.
We have the Lord of the Universe giving us the greatest pump-up speech in the history of the world. Let's follow Him into battle.
