August 10,2018
Today was day 3 of training camp.
Here are 3 words to describe:
Challenging
Fun
Intense
So far we have slept in tents each night, had interesting Asian and Latin American meals, taken only cold bucket showers, listened amazing teaching on the Bible intended to prepare us for the World Race and beyond, and so much more.
Tonight’s message was on forgiveness. I’ve listened to many messages on forgiveness in the past, and I know what Jesus said about forgiveness and how it’s not an option to forgive, but forgiveness is a command from Jesus if we want to experience the abundant life He promises and if He is to forgive us. I can honestly say I’ve forgiven those who have hurt me.
Tonight though was different. After talking about why and how we should forgive those who have hurt us, the message turned to why we also need to forgive ourselves.
Tonight the Holy Spirit highlighted to me that not forgiving yourself can have the same negative effects as not forgiving others. It will keep you in bondage.
At the end of the message, we were given the opportunity to pray and ask the Lord for ourselves: is there anyone I need to forgive?
The Holy Spirit brought to mind the 2 semesters I spent at New York Medical College over a decade ago. I had not thought about it in years. You see, after graduating from college with Honors, I went to NYMC, but failed 2 consecutive semesters. Not many people know this about me because I graduated with my Masters not too long ago. (Side note: Thank God He’s a God of second chances.) It hurts to think about that failure. But I was reminded of it for a reason. I needed to forgive myself for failing.
Tonight, during worship I finally did! I forgave myself for not just that wasted opportunity but for some others I have been holding on to as well!
Shout out to 5th generation O Squad for praying over me tonight, as well as our squad coach. It felt like a burden was lifted off my shoulders. Training camp is so much more than I expected and we still have 1 more week to go!
If you’ve read this blog post all the way through, Thank You! Don’t forget to subscribe/donate/share the blog if you haven’t already.
Here’s a treat:
I, along with about half our squad, came to training camp a day early for what’s called a Storytelling workshop. It’s a workshop on how to effectively share how God is working in and through us. Our final project was to collaboratively write or shoot and edit a video blog. The subject was World Race Training Camp. Below are 2 links to what was done. There were more, which I will try to post at a later date.
These 2 links, will introduce you to a few of my squad. A squad in World Race lingo is the 36 other people I will be traveling with to each country.
https://jeorgiannapulford.theworldrace.org/post/tc
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
