Get Out of the Trenches: How to experience a spiritual awakening
What are some of your favorite memories about this time of the year?
- Eating ice cream
- Seating on a deck by a pool
- Having one last summer vacation before school
Surprisingly, one of my fondest memories of this time of the year is ...
Two-A-Day Football Practices
Yes, those first two weeks of the football season in the brutal, sweltering heat.
And for most of my life, I never knew why I enjoyed them ...
Until I read a blog post when I was in college that described the feeling beautifully.
Kokoro Camp
The author of this particular blog post decided to go on a retreat.
Not to some remote, serene place in nature ...
But to Kokoro Camp
Which is a simulation of the Navy Seal boot camp.
When he described his experience of Kokoro Camp, it articulated why I loved two-a-days.
He mentioned how this camp was harder than normal.
He was in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.
Drill sergeants were yelling insults, profanities, and obscenities in his face.
Not everyone was able to make it through the camp ...
But those who did had an amazing experience.
The individual participants realized they couldn't make it through on their own.
But they realized there were others in the trenches with them ...
And if everyone gave their all for each other ...
They would make it through the camp.
And when they did ...
Each participant experienced a personal transformation ...
And the group as a whole experienced a collective transformation.
The author described this as a spiritual awakening!
Two-A-Day Football Practices
A similar scenario is played out during two-a-days.
These first two weeks are harder than normal.
You practice in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.
Coaches are yelling orders at you.
Not all players make it through those first two weeks ...
But those who do have an amazing experience.
The individual players realize they can't make it through on their own.
But they realized there are others in the trenches with them ...
And if everyone gives their all for each other ...
They will make it through.
And when they do ...
Each player experiences a personal transformation ...
And the team as a whole experiences a collective transformation.
It might be a stretch to call it a spiritual awakening, but we can go along with it!
Life as a Spiritual Journey
A similar scenario is played out during our walk of faith.
Sometimes life seems harder than normal.
It seems to place you in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.
Internal and external voices are yelling insults at you, telling you that you are not enough.
Not everyone makes it through those challenging times ...
But those who do have an amazing experience.
During these times, individuals realize they can't make it through on their own.
But they realize there are others in the trenches with them, brothers and sisters in Christ and an Eternal Savior ...
And if everyone gives their all for each other ...
They will make it through.
And when they do ...
Each person experiences a personal transformation ...
And the Body of Christ as a whole experiences a collective transformation.
Which is a real spiritual awakening!
Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of persevering in the trenches with the Body of Christ and experiencing your spiritual awakening, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!
May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,
Kyle
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