I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

This is a declaration. Unknown to me, declarations have been
a huge part of my life for a while. Declaring things about myself, about my
friends, about my family, about who I want to be and where I want to go, and
about God has shaped the way I see and perceive my world. Declaring Jesus as my
Lord and Savior has been the most powerful declaration of them all; it’s the
one that has led me here, to the 2012 training camp for the Adventures in
Mission Summer Passport trips.

These declarations, these words that we say, breathe life or
death into the world. We either create something or destroy something. Words
are powerful. In one of our training sessions we were asked to yell out
declarations, to say something that would give life to ourselves and to others.
I could feel deep in my gut that I am a force to be reckoned with. So I yelled
it at the top of my lungs! Hahaha

You see, when we accept Jesus into our lives we accept the
same word, Jesus, through which the world was created, the same word that
became flesh for us, the same word that suffered and died for our sins, and the
same word that has ascended into heaven. By accepting this word, this Savior,
we walk with that word in our hearts. We have an immense force behind our
actions when we follow what he has called us to do. It’s kind of amazing.

Now, here’s the challenge, whomever you are that is reading
this. I ask you to speak a declaration out loud. I know that sounds a little
crazy, but do it anyway. Speak something that is encouraging, uplifting, and
comforting. “I am beautiful”, “I am not alone”, “I am brave”, “I am loved”, “I
am worthy”, “I am a force to be reckoned with”, anything, speak it out loud and
believe it in your heart.

This is only the fourth day on my journey on this amazing
adventure. It has been eye opening, emotionally difficult, and an amazing
learning experience, and I’m not even in India yet! I have a team of amazing
women with me. As we learn more about each other I am seeing how we are each
strong in our own ways. Each of us is here for a purpose. It is amazing and
unbelievable to see how quickly we are able to feel like we have known each
other for much longer than four days. I am so excited for what is to come!

YOYO – you’re only young once

BOOM

Raelyn