Monday, July 22, 2013

I was a fire evacuee

Maybe you've heard about the wildfires ravaging California. Maybe you've volunteered with the Red Cross and seen anxious, tired, people and given them a plastic baggie with soap, a rough blanket and a cot. Maybe you've been that person, not knowing if your home was going to last the night. Maybe you've been the family of that firefighter, knowing he's exhausting because he's been working for 14 hours trying to contain this beast.

I was one of the people evacuated in Southern California. Myself and a hundred of my closest friends, (most of them, anyway!) were about to have our retreat at a campsite in Taquitz Pines. As we gathered for dinner, our first day there, we were told we would have to be evacuated. They told us a local high school was going to house us, and we didn't know how long it would be for.

Long story short, Beaumont High welcomed us. Not only that, we were able to have our 50th anniversary retreat there. We were able to perform on their beautiful stage. (with lights!) The people that organize food for students were on vacation and volunteered their time to cook us fresh food.

Not only that, the presence of GOD was all over the place. Peace, joy, and unity was a blanket around us. The volunteer workers told us that they had never experienced such a people group of people, in 20 plus years of service. They told us we were so easy to serve and we never missed an opportunity to tell them how thankful we were for their help.

It was truly humbling, to make new friends with people that were evacuated, to see how the Lord used us to bring them peace, as they didn't know what would happen next.

There are two highlights I want to share.  I got a name. So often, in my life, I have accepted the lie that I am useless. We did an exercise were we got one of those "Hello, my name is" stickers, and we were to pray and ask God what name HE had for us. I got "MIGHTY WARRIOR".

The Lord not only named me that, he gave me physical and spiritual strength to live it. I was proclaiming God's love and the reason for the peace that came with us. I shared about how as Christians we are aware of the warrior analogies, but we don't always feel "mighty" about it. I shared how the peace and joy in the atmosphere was the presence of God knocking on their hearts saying "I'm here! I love you so much!"
I opened my mouth and these things came pouring out and I had no idea what I was going to say next! I wasn't planning anything, I was just being there, ready.

I was in a High School of California, praying constantly, spending time with amazing people, and enjoying the most spectacular plays I have ever experienced.  I was so proud of my Covenant Player family, sleeping on cots in a gymnasium and not complaining. Loving and letting go of lies and picking up and clinging to truths.

I guess this is long enough, so I will end this in saying, Please join me in praying for the firefighters. Please pray for the other shelters, for the peace of the Holy Spirit to rest on them and lead people to Jesus. Please pray for the volunteer workers, for their strength and wisdom in dealing with people. Please pray for those who have lost their homes.

Also, don't forget to be thankful! Entitlement kills all semblance of thankfulness.

Be blessed.