Training Camp… woah, nelly.
I’ve been trying to figure out exactly how to describe this and sum up everything I’ve seen and felt and I‘ve written about a gazillion bullet points that I don’t know what to do with. Words- so many words that God is speaking and pouring over this trip and our lives. And the Word is alive, and He is moving and I’m starting to wonder where this understanding has been my whole life.
There is so much freedom here. People dance in worship. Confession: my uncoordinated Nazarene feet were moving, baby!
We had a session last night in which we practiced listening to the voice of God and hearing both for ourselves and others- and speaking that truth over each other. I cannot express how precious it is to hear the voice of God spoken through a fellow sister in Christ. This is going to become a regular thing in my life guys, you just wait and see… ENC isn’t going to know what hit it.
Last night in worship God gave me this picture of myself holding a mirror in my hands, cupped like water, and of me staring into it. He comes behind me and encircles my hands and shatters the mirror- His reflection takes its place. I have struggled so much with comparison and insufficiency during my preparation and for these first few days. I’ve been believing lies that I am too shy- too afraid to do this. Words like Ugly. Weak. Worthless. Unlovable. Timid. In the way. That mirror of comparison to others has held my gaze for WAY too long, and my warrior- my protector- smashed it last night. My identity is solely who He says I am.
Beloved.
Precious.
Called.
Equipped.
Chosen.
Redeemed.
I am here for a reason.
God confirmed my place here last night through several of my teammates. Through them He said that He is holding my hand and that I have a special purpose here on my team. I have a quiet confidence and humility that is attractive. I am a leader. I am a warrior- clothed in strength and boldness.
Let’s talk about freedom! I anticipated proclaiming freedom for the women in Thailand, but I never guessed that His first step would be setting me free! It’s a process, and I bet it’s going to be one that lasts the rest of my life, but every day I get to wake up to the knowledge that I am free from the chains of insufficiency that bound me. As one of my teammates said the other night, I’ve got “dancey feet.” And now we get to proclaim that same freedom over these women in Thailand. I can't imagine a greater privilege- thanks Jesus!
Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
