Band Camp, Day #2

Wow. I cannot believe that we're already 2 days through band camp. I guess it went a lot slower when you were waiting for it to be over with. Now I am just excited to be there, and it's not something I feel like I "have" to do. It's a lot of fun!

So, God's message to me lately is that He is my only strength. See Isaiah 40:29-31. He has really shown me a lot about myself and about others in these two days and last week, too.

There is just something I've noticed recently. It's like I keep noticing people who are the most genuine and "good-hearted," but they are having trouble with some things (addictions, lifestyles, et cetera). But, I love them so much. It's really weird. I know that I am no better than them. It's like there's this amazing person locked up inside of them, who is kept in by whatever is restricting them. Does that make sense? Who knows, but it's just so weird because I love these people so much. It's different than Christian fellowship though, because many of these specific people are not believers. It's like if they would just acknowledge God, who they know exists but refuse to pay any attention to, they would be transformed into the most awesome Christian ever.

Because of my current job, I am daily surrounded by plenty of people like this. I am also surrounded by a handful of believers who have been an amazing encouragement to me this week. The Lord knew beforehand that I needed their words of encouragement and fellowship with His kids!

This Relient K song has really been a blessing (thanks Matthew!):
"Be My Escape"

I’ve given up on giving up slowly, I’m blending in so
You won’t even know me apart from this whole world that shares my fate
This one last bullet you mention is my one last shot at redemption
because I know to live you must give your life away
And I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You, I’m begging You to be my escape.

I’m giving up on doing this alone now
Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how
He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there
And this life sentence that I’m serving
I admit that I’m every bit deserving
But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
Cause I’m afraid that this complacency is something I can’t shake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You, I’m begging You to be my escape.

I am a hostage to my own humanity
Self detained and forced to live in this mess I’ve made
And all I’m asking is for You to do what You can with me
But I can’t ask You to give what You already gave

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house all the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because
I’ve gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I’ve gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You, I’m begging
You to be my escape.

I fought You for so long
I should have let You in
Oh how we regret those things we do
And all I was trying to do was save my own skin
But so were You

So were You

I think this song reminds me of these people that I love so much.
Hmmmm. May God use this for His glory alone. May He allow others to see Jesus Christ in me this week...even when I'm fixing and setting drill spots and when I'm calling the girls to attention. Sounds pretty far fetched, but God works in unique and seemingly impossible ways!!!! I love you God!