Tag: Athletes in Action

5.18.19 – The F.I.N.I.S.H

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FINISH OF THE SPECIAL DAY 2 /// Just when they thought the hard part was over… Competition had ended. Then, after reading the story of Jesus going to the cross, campers were sent on a contemplative 1.5 mile run through the resort and the sand dunes. They carried a 2×4 over their shoulders the whole way in representation of what was read. They were given the time to process what God had for them during this experience: an epiphany, realization, moments of growth, honest prayer and even open praise to the Lord. Most ran the whole way in solitude. Some ran with teammates. But all of them crested a hill and saw the ocean over the dunes at the end. Whether their legs probably wanted to or not, they ran toward the ocean, and their teammates, and the finish line. They were done, a 16 hour sports marathon with barely a nap for sleep, and they didn’t realize how they could have gotten through it without God.

Some final thoughts about the experience:

  • “[In the competition] I could feel my soul working, not my muscles working”
  • “I kept thinking I was done, but then had the OPPORTUNITY to keep pushing”
  • “The reality of Jesus suffering because of his love for us began to really hit me. It made the run a celebration instead.”
  • “I was pretty high energy through most of it. Then we read the passage about Jesus at the end. It made me thankful. I realized it took the power of the Holy Spirit to get this far. I was walking & praying during my “Golgotha run.” I asked God: Do you want me to run this? He said: Yes. I was like: Okay. And so I ran the whole rest of the way, truly dependent on Him.”
  • “Understanding “my way” is not always His way. When the athletic trainers told me to do something I didn’t want to, but needed to, it was a picture of how the Lord does that with me. He ends up being right in the end. Every action has a role to play. Trying to do it on my own is not an option.
  • [God showed me] “It was okay to be vulnerable. Honestly, it was afterward because I was so exhausted. When we were all done, later on during the worship time, I had like, this emotional release.”
  • [When debriefing the SPECIAL later] “I heard that the expectation [of the SPECIAL or any competition] is always perfection. That’s what God’s expectation should be. And I’m not gonna always be perfect. [If I live that way] I’m just trying to meet expectations I’m not going to meet. [God showed me] it is freeing to know we don’t have to meet those expectations.”

After much encouragement, celebration, prayer and some tears, everyone was free to head off for lunch and a long afternoon of rest (and sleep). This experience made them exercise all 5 principles at one time: Audience of One, Inside Game, Holy Sweat/Wholly Surrender, Hurtin’ for Certain, Victory Beyond Competition. We couldn’t have put on this experience without the thoughtful planning of the staff, the hardworking interns that ran the obstacles and refereed the events, or everyone that helped guide, pray for and encourage the campers.

Prayer

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VOLLEYBALL LAB DAY 2 /// Praying for two of our own after they shared some very personal things going on in their lives and how God is working in the midst of that.

Ephesians 6:10-18 /// 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Prayer /// Thank you for those of you that have been praying for this project. We know many of you could not be here with us or are just so excited for what you’re trusting to see God work out for His glory here. If you were wondering some specific ways to pray, here is how you can be a part of what He is doing among this project: 

 In General Y'all Can Pray:
-For the Lord to prepare the hearts of all the staff, interns and athletes to be teachable and humble
-For maximum impact of each life as a result of the event
-For the staff and interns to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, start to finish
-That the AIA regional staff will enjoy connecting with each other and work well together
-That the athletes will have fun and be refreshed spiritually and physically
-There will be little or preferably no technical issues with our main meeting set-up (mics, speakers, lights, screens, videos, etc.-Dave Taylor, Coordinator)
-There will be sincere decisions to accept Christ for the first time
-That the athletes and interns will go back to their campuses more trained and excited about reaching their teammates for Christ
-That God would use this event for His glory and to further His kingdom! 

More Specifically:
 -Health-Everyone would stay healthy and for no sickness (Praise God everyone got through the S.P.E.C.I.A.L this weekend unharmed)
- Continued Good weather-Limited precipitation and low heat and humidity (Praise God already for this! The weather has been cool and breezy)
-Project Director-Chris Bennett
-Emcee-Zach Wilson
-Band-We are using a praise and worship band from a local Gulf Shores church
-Speakers-For everyone who will be up front delivering God’s word

We will be here for ONE MORE WEEK and we appreciate your prayers and praise God already for what He has done and will continue to do. If you would like to, take a few requests and pray each day as the remainder of our time winds down. As our prayer coordinators on project would say, “We have a lot to look forward to as we TRUST HIM with great and mighty things.”