If I was only preparing for a school trip, I would be thinking exclusively about my short term responsibilities and how I can do them to the best of my ability for this summer. However, this trip is more than just a school trip. This summer, like the summer missions I’ve done before this one, is meant to equip each of us participants for a lifetime of serving Jesus.
Boot Camp calls us to think not just about the current moment, but about what our role in the Body of Christ looks like moving forward into a life of ministry. I graduated from the Institute with my Biblical Studies and Community Development degrees 2 weeks before beginning this trip. Even with that great milestone passed, I am still deepening my understanding of what my role looks like in the body and how my skills can be used to serve those in need, both here in Nashville and abroad. Boot Camp is special because it gives dedicated time to serving the Lord and engaging in worship, Bible study, and prayer with our entire day. Though these concentrated, focused times are essential, they are often rare due to the demands of daily life and different responsibilities we hold. I am so grateful for this time I have set aside before I travel to center my entire self on Jesus, engaging him in every activity I have ahead of me.
There is a LOT to do this summer, and Boot Camp is the fuel and the conditioning each of us need to be ready. Boot Camp challenges us so we can grow our muscles, the physical ones and the spiritual ones, before setting out to engage with the most precious people on this earth. God’s heart is so near to the poor, oppressed, and marginalized, and we get the immense blessing of going to spend time with them this summer. That means we need to give them our best, be on our A-game, and engage God’s spirit in every moment. Boot Camp is what trains us into doing that. Whether it’s helping put on a service week for youth in Nashville, spending time studying God’s word, or crying out to the Lord in times of prayer and worship, it’s all preparation for us to be the best we can be this summer. This time is invaluable and I feel compelled to appreciate every minute of it, knowing how much fruit will come on the other side of our obedience to God this week.