Three is Company

Dear readers, 

This is the third and (probably) last letter from training camp. Buckle up people, and enjoy the story. 

On the last night we had a session with one of our Squad Leaders Connor Gaul. He shared his story with us, and how he came about joining the world race years ago, and he shared is excitement to see us walk the same journey he once did, but learning different things along the way. 

When it came for the session to be done he asked us to close out eyes. Me personally I hate it when people tell me to do this. As if closing your eyes brings you closer to God in prayer, or like if someone is going to do a magic trick if you close your eyes. You just might miss something. 

I did end up closing my eyes. But only after what he said we were going to do. 

“I want you guys to all close your eyes and visualize what an in person interaction would be like with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit.”

I was hooked from the get-go. 

Growing up, all the things that happened in my head always looked better than what was happening all around me, just a way to escape the world If you will. 

But this time it was different, I wasn’t escaping anything. I was meeting up with some people, little did I know how much this exercise would draw me closer to all three of them. 

I’m going to do my best to recall everything that I pictured in my brain. But please know this is not just some story I’m making up as I go along. This felt so real to me in the moment. I truly feel like I met with them all in a very different way, and you’ll see why. 

 

I pictured a cabin when I closed my eyes. If you’ve been to Lake Ann Camp you might know the ones that formed together in my minds eye. The “Pines” out behind most of the camp. Growing up going at this camp I spent almost every year of my life for about a week or so in these cabins. So many happy memories, such peace of mind, such joy. 

I walked around, just like a second home to me. The door opened and my Dad was there. God was so happy to see me. He was wearing plain jeans and a white T-Shirt. His posture was so gentle and inviting. 

I walked over and gave him a hug. His arms coming perfectly across my back, giving me such comfort to be standing in His presence.

Connor told us to ask God a question. Anything at all. 

I looked deep into his eyes, (no distinct color, but overwhelming emotions of joy.) 

“God, I’ve never seen you as my father and I want that to change. Will you father me?”

He didn’t stop to think of a reply.

“Of course.” 

He brought me back into a hug. The ultimate affirmation of the Love he so willing gave me. He wouldn’t let me go, even if I wanted to squirm out of it. His loving-kindness held me so close to Him. 

God led me outside the cabin, immediately I saw Jesus walking by. He wore a green flannel, jeans, and no shoes. His face looked like the electric guitarist from blues brothers, A nice beard, and long brown hair. (I use some obscure references in this story, if you want a picture to look at I would suggest googling it.)

“Hey, You wanna go for a walk?” Jesus called out. 

I looked at God, and He nodded his head, I headed over and began to walk with Jesus. 

“Jesus why is this happening?”  My words stumbled over themselves as I asked the question so out of context, yet he knew exactly what I meant. 

He laughed and hit me on the shoulder. “Don’t you trust me buddy?” 

He was so joyful, I couldn’t help but join him in the laughter. “Yeah, I trust you.”

We walked and joked around for a couple more minutes, Jesus looked at me and said “I gotta go, you’ve got someone you need to go meet.” 

I was disappointed, the time felt so short lived. He started to stroll away, but just as Jesus was out of view he looked back and said pretty loud. “I love ya buddy.” 

I felt it. Down to my core. When words have power you feel it. 

I stood there for a minute or so. Really nervous. I had never spoken with The Spirit before, I didn’t know what to expect. 

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Him. 

A Child. Maybe 6 or 7 years old. (I pictured Aang from Avatar last Airbender and the Bald Child from the first Matrix movie that bends the spoon with Neo.)

I leaned down and introduced myself. “Hi Holy Spirit my name is Mitchell.”

He didn’t really look at me, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the woods. “Come on! Let’s go play!”

We ran through the woods, bushes and trees whipping past us as we ran. 

“Whoa, buddy slow down. Let’s think this through.” I attempted to say, but the words never came out very well. 

“Come on, we don’t want to waste any time!” Holy Spirit tugged on my arm even more. 

I gave in. 

I held his hand firmly and started to run alongside him. I looked down and he had the biggest smile strung across his face. We connected. 

We eventually got back to the cabin, slowing down we caught our breath together. 

Connor broke the silence. “Why don’t you give him a hug?”

I got down on one knee, and he jumped into my arms, hugging my neck with every fiber of his being. He didn’t want to let go. After a while I put him down. He looked up at me for a moment, then walked away. He looks back and waves for me to join him, his last words still give me chills, he said, 

“Let’s go do big things.”

I opened my eyes.

Quickly I grabbed my journal so I could document everything I had just encountered. After I finished ferociously writing, I stopped to take a minute. 

I 100% believe I had met with all three members of the trinity that night. 

God met with me as my Father. 

Jesus met with me as an old Friend. 

Holy Spirit met with me as a Child. 

Now I walk with each of them in a different light. More personally. My day to day life looks very different with all three of them. 

My life will never be the same. 

You may be reading this and think it sounds super fake and fabricated. I can honestly say this was a very real experience for me. 

Readers, I pray that you are able to meet with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the same way I did that night.

If you would like to, just go find a quiet place, no distractions whatsoever. Close your eyes, visualize each of them one by one, say what’s on your heart, listen to their responses. Who knows what you might walk away with.

If you feel led to, please reach out to me with your experience, I’d love to celebrate alongside with you. 

This is my last training camp letter. (I think. I might write a fourth letter as a bit of a bonus, but I’m still praying about it.) I hope you have felt encouraged by reading this story. Please continue to pray for my journey as I walk. We ain’t close to being done yet.

Now if you’ll excuse me, The Holy Spirit and I are gonna go do some ‘big things’.

 

Until Next time. 

 

-Mitchell