Kingdom Moments Pt. 1

Hello!! I am starting a new series that I am excited to see how it progresses. This series, “Kingdom Moments,” will be documenting times that may seem normal or mundane, but I feel like God has given me a glimpse of His kingdom, heaven invading earth. I hope you enjoy!

 

Bold in praise & worship

During training camp, we had time each day specifically for worship and meet with God. This was my favorite time, because it was a worship experience like nothing I’ve ever been a part of. There weren’t many people in the room, but every one of us had a burning desire to be with our Father. Even the worship leaders coming in to join us said that the worship environment for our squad was just different. 

So many times in worship, I found myself just sitting and observing. Watching the people dancing before the Lord. Hearing the beautifully off-key voices singing at the top of their lungs. Listening to the soft whisper of songs sung in other tongues. Seeing my brothers and sisters on their faces, weeping at the goodness of God. 

I loved every minute of it, and I just kept hearing God tell me, “This is what it’s meant to be like. I love everyone in this room and created them so uniquely.” He created the dancers, the tone-deaf, the tender hearts, even the ones who sat still the whole time. He gave me a picture of Revelation 7:9, which says “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

 

Joining in with others

In between sessions at training camp, we often would hang out on the porch and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. One day, we heard singing and worship coming from the squad that was meeting below us. So many of my squadmates began joining in, leaning over the railing to be close but still socially distant (thanks Covid). The atmosphere shifted as I watched people begin dancing and singing praises to the Lord. I felt like God was giving me a glimpse of His kingdom. Of the joy that worship brings, and what it must look like from a heavenly perspective when we start to praise God on Earth. Angels leaning over the edge, wanting to witness God and His children celebrating together.

Families have fun 

The first several days of training camp brought inclement weather thanks to Hurricane Delta passing through. This meant nonstop rain and one tornado warning. Halfway through our dinner under the covered porch, we were informed of the possible tornado and instructed to take shelter inside.

Once inside, however, I and my squadmates decided we weren’t going to let anything rain on our parade (lol sorry, I had to). One guy got out his bluetooth speaker and we began our own dance party, playing all the best line dances. We Wobbled, Cha Cha Slid, got Footloose, even went down Copperhead Road. We laughed through the chaos as I tried to teach 30 people how to do the Biker Shuffle and everyone kept bumping into each other. 

In what easily could have been a night of disappointment due to changing plans, my squad and I decided to make the best of the situation and let loose. We bonded and made one of my favorite memories of camp. We had fun together, and I could just feel God having fun and laughing right along with us.