My dear friend, Cosby, from camp, posted a blog about Redwood Camp that stirred in my soul, swelled up my heart, and moved me to tears. The words he committed to writing are words and thoughts and notions that have been swirling in my mind for the last 2 weeks. The way he described all that God has done, or at least the way he attempted to convey such a divine and other-worldly experience, is stunningly parallel to my own processing and the vividness of the truth found therein is so poignant to me. I wanted to just quote him on a few statements that just evidence the oneness that arose from merely being a member of the Redwood staff. He basically stole the words from my own mouth:
“Redwood however became that safe-place where I learned that true vulnerability, honesty, and a complete unpacking of the soul was a means through which my brokenness was continually patched. Not through reception, but more through deliverance. More through my own willingness to present my entirety to someone, rather than just the good parts. More through the acceptance my depraved self felt because of others mutual brokenness, and of course more through the empowerment I provided others with, to do the same, and the comfort I was able to levy onto them as a result. Vulnerability is a beautiful thing.”
“The realization of your own depravity, your own desperation for God, not only leads to self-restoration, but self-betterment as well. Love comes naturally. It flows from your pores, and is hindered by nothing, because you are nothing but wholly his. Righteousness is acted upon subconsciously rather than being a consistent struggle. God becomes ever-present in your interactions and conversations, rather than being shielded by the scanty self you’ve always been. “
Thanks for these words, Papa Cos, and I hope you don’t mind me further sharing them.
