Broken down Walls

This post was made by Heather Casteel, SR, Cheerleading.

Before I ever got here, my prayer for this group was openness and obedience. The first morning we were here, I already saw God answering that prayer. After our morning devotional time, we had the opportunity to share what we learned, thought, or felt during that hour. I was blown away with the vulnerability and honesty of those who shared; that laid the foundation for the rest of the week.

Everyone has either shared in a large or small group about what God has placed on their hearts and how He’s been moving. Tuesday night we as leaders felt that it would be beneficial to offer time for the athletes to wash someone’s feet. We were unsure on how receptive the idea would be, but it went so well. That night I saw walls crumbling down and masks taken off; people were revealing their raw selves. There were very honest and real conversations occurring between teammates, athletes and leaders, and even athletes from different teams. I could see the Holy Spirit at work that night around the bonfire.

It has been very encouraging for me to see how this group has welcomed each other’s differences and embraced them. They recognize the diversity but understand that there can be great unity within that challenge. I have witnessed friendships begin and some strengthened, each encouraging and supporting the other in his/her walk with Christ. I am excited to see how they all continue these relationships after returning home.

My prayer for the team now is to continue in the growth they’ve made here and then be obedient to what God is calling them to. I want them to continue practicing the spiritual disciplines that they have all seemed to thoroughly engage in this week. And as a leader, I want to be there with them, taking the same steps, and motivating them to keep walking forward, seeking God’s face; not losing focus, but centering their lives around Christ. And the walls and masks that were broken here, they would remain desolated. God is doing a great work in these athletes, may they not be afraid to share it with those they encounter at home and Bethel.