Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Speaker A: Welcome to the YA podcast.
Lean in as we dive into the practicals of life with Jesus as spirit filled young adults.
[00:00:26] Speaker B: Hey, hey, hey everyone. Welcome back to the NUMA Young adults podcast podcast. We are so glad that you were joining us again for another amazing episode.
I am Emily Dean and I'm here joined with the amazing Pastor Jess.
[00:00:40] Speaker A: Hello.
[00:00:41] Speaker B: And then we've got an amazing guest, our guest speaker for retreat, Madison Barr.
[00:00:49] Speaker C: What?
[00:00:49] Speaker A: Crazy, crazy.
If you have not heard of Madison before, if you, you're like, who is this girl? Firstly listen to our previous episode. We recorded an episode with her a little while ago that you can listen to that was super encouraging. So I would encourage you to listen to that. But she's also going to be ministering at our young adults retreat very soon.
We are so excited about and I know you guys will be so, so blessed by. So we thought we would bring her on in the lead up to retreat to maybe speaking to some of the things that we might be touching on a retreat. But actually more so to prepare you for it now every year when we run a young adults retreat, youth camp, leaders retreat, something I always get someone sending me an email, text, what do I need to pack? What do I need to bring? Do I need a sleeping bag? And I know we've got some incredible family in Adelaide and different parts of further parts of Victoria and other states that come to our retreats and, and especially cause you guys have to pack a suitcase and fly it over like what do I need to bring? And I think that's great. We want to be prepared. But I think do we ever ask the question, how do I spiritually prepare for retreat? Not just do I need a pillow, but actually.
[00:02:04] Speaker C: Or a toothbrush.
[00:02:05] Speaker A: Or a toothbrush. Definitely toothbrush, deodorant.
[00:02:07] Speaker B: Don't forget those, don't forget those.
[00:02:10] Speaker A: All of those things. But actually we wanted to address the question, how do I mentally emotionally spread spiritually.
[00:02:18] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:02:18] Speaker A: Prepare for Young adults Retreat. And I think that it's such an important question because sometimes we can show up to these things unprepared and just expect that it's all going to fall into place. But. And the Lord is so gracious.
But how much more so if we come ready and expectant for him to move.
[00:02:37] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely. And even like reflecting in the process of getting ready for this podcast, you thinking through the different times where I've maybe had like a conference coming up and I've been really excited or even a retreat or a camp, something, some sort of like ministry event and I've Been approaching it. And there's been different times where one, I've just kind of shown up and hoped that I get everything out of it and I'm just kind of present and I'm like, okay, Lord, you do what you want to do. But then there's also been other times where I've intentionally prepared my heart on, in the lead up to retreat or in the lead up to this particular moment. And I noticed that there's actually such a difference in the way that I receive. And so there is such an importance, I believe in becoming aware because so much of our lives, there is so much noise in our day to day life. And so what can often happen is we're in all of these spaces now. Again, not to negate God's kindness that he will meet us where we're at and he's always faithful. But there is something that happens right when we intentionally quiet ourselves and prepare ourselves to meet with the Lord. Almost like, as I'm saying this, I'm reminded of like the priests in the Old Testament, they would prepare themselves going into the presence of the Lord. They would have the different steps of the tabernacle in order to prepare themselves to then meet with the Lord in the holiest of holies. And so as we were preparing for a treat, there is something I believe that God wants to do in all of our lives to help us be attentive and ready to meet with him face to face.
[00:04:13] Speaker A: So good.
[00:04:14] Speaker C: So good.
Yeah.
[00:04:16] Speaker B: So, Madison, we would love to hear. I know that you have a vast experience in ministry. You've been in so many different ministry circles. You've been to lots of different camps, retreats, you've run many of them as well. And we would just. I know that you are someone who carries hunger. You are somebody who knows how to turn up in these places, ready to receive whatever it is the Lord has for you. And so in your journey, what does that often looks like in terms of coming up, in terms of showing up ready to receive, showing up expectant, and maybe even not putting your expectation on what it looks like, but your expectancy of just allowing God to move in those spaces?
[00:04:58] Speaker C: It's beautiful and so cool. Hey, everyone.
So excited to be here. So honored to come to retreat.
What in the world? When Pastor Jess messaged me, actually she called me and I was like blown away by the invitation and just want you to know that I'm in a lot of prayer for you guys and I'm really excited to be with you. September, it's going to be Great. But with that question, Emily.
[00:05:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:21] Speaker C: I feel there's a lot of things that we could cover today, but to keep it concise and. Sure. I just wanted to start in the first place, is that this is not striving.
So we're not actually striving to be prepared so that God will move. It doesn't work like that. Come on. Well, it does in a religious sense, but we are believers who have an active relationship with Jesus. And where I wanted to start today, as even one of our points, I guess, of how even I prepare my heart is really expectancy. And what I mean by that is positioning. And so the analogy I wanted to use is even how I prepare myself is if I'm expecting to receive, if I'm expecting and I come in full of faith, full of hunger, then I'm in a position where, just like, if anyone likes sport, I'm ready to, like, catch the ball.
[00:06:17] Speaker A: Yeah, great.
[00:06:17] Speaker C: Where I think sometimes. And if I'm articulating even how you were mentioning before, Emma, just like, okay, I'm just here watching what's going to happen. But if I'm in an active position of I'm going to catch this ball. Yeah, I'm going to catch whatever God has for me.
I am positioning myself. I used to play netball and loved it, and I was always, like, ready when I would often be in the center position and when the ball was coming for me, I wasn't just, like, looking to the side, just being like, oh, here we go, I might get it. No, I was in position, ready to catch that ball and actually then pivot as needed as I felt.
Well, in the event, as the Lord leads, you feel then, oh, God, like, I thought you were going to talk to me about this, but actually you wanted to talk to me about this. Yeah, but it's the active place of being positioned and not being a spectator. So I think sometimes we can come in and be like, okay, like, maybe God might do something. No, no. Are we actually positioning ourselves in a place of hunger and expectancy?
And we see, even in the word, even in regards of hunger, that Matthew 5, 6 says, God fills those who are hungry and thirst for righteousness.
[00:07:29] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:07:29] Speaker C: And so there is an active is not striving, but there is an active position that I choose to put myself in. God, whatever you want to say, I'm ready to catch that ball. Whatever you want to do, I'm ready to catch that ball. You might want to talk to me about my future. You might want to actually talk to me about my Past whatever you have for me, I am going to have an active position that I'm getting ready for the game and I'm ready to receive. So that's probably the first one that
[00:07:55] Speaker B: I would say that's so good. And I think even as you were talking about netball, I was an avid netballer growing up.
I used to think I was going to play for the Australian Diamonds, but could Emily maybe one ACL injury later?
[00:08:10] Speaker A: No.
[00:08:10] Speaker B: But as you were talking about, particularly the center position and how you just being ready for the ball, the thought that came into my mind was center was always the one who was available. They could move in every aspect of the court and they were always the one to look for, to be available to receive the ball, to move it down. And I think the main thing we're talking about is positioning and availability. Yes. Are we available? Is our heart ready to be available to receive? Great.
[00:08:37] Speaker A: Can I just jump on the netball thing and say netball, I don't think I've ever maybe once in my life won a netball game. And that's because I literally am like scared of the ball and I'm never positioned to catch it.
[00:08:48] Speaker B: Okay, we definitely have an issue.
[00:08:51] Speaker A: I'm not a center player.
Some of you listeners have played netball
[00:08:55] Speaker C: with me and, you know, maybe at retreat, we play.
[00:08:58] Speaker A: This is, this is the other end of the spectrum is that, like, if you're not positioned to catch the ball, you're like me, like, oh, the ball's coming my way, I'm going to scream and jump out of the way and you completely miss it and you don't win the game. So that's why positioning is so important. And I'm just giving, using myself as the butt of the joke to be like, actually, there is the other side of the spectrum as well. So that's why I love, I love what you're saying.
[00:09:20] Speaker C: And I would say in positioning, like, if we're actually going to get practical, because I think it's like, okay, that's a great analogy, Madison, but I think it is. And this is, again, that's why I want to say it's not a striving thing, but like, is God inviting you to fast? Is God inviting you to really take a dedicated time to start praying? For me personally, I often ask the Lord questions pre the game, so pre the event, God, what do you want to start speaking to me about now so I can prepare my heart and position my heart? So I think there is some practical things that we can do. It's not just saying, okay, get position. Well, what does that look like? So there is an invitation I feel from this pod God, what do you want me to do in the lead up? Like no one, no one goes to a game or shouldn't be going to a game, who's a player that just rocks up and just there they actually have had to train, they've actually had to do something. And so again, this is not a striving thing. It's actually such an incredible invitation to go deep with Jesus. Imagine if you're so hot and ready to go and hungry and expectant and God's already meeting you before retreat.
Retreats are one event.
What about what would it look like if our intimacy with Jesus in our prayer life. And even again, if he's inviting you to fast, what would that look like pre retreat?
[00:10:34] Speaker A: And you know what's really cool about that? And maybe I'm jumping ahead a touch here, but on the other side of it, often we go after retreat. How do I steward what the Lord has deposited in me? And if we, if we're not positioned to receive, if we're not already walking in those spiritual disciplines, you can have an amazing encounter with God and then not know how to steward it post retreat. And what the Lord's actually done in you is not a long term fruit, it's a temporary thing. So actually if we're thinking about post retreat stewardship, it actually starts before retreat, not at retreat.
[00:11:07] Speaker C: Absolutely, absolutely. And after games, you know, there is a time of some rest and recovery. Yeah, you probably just need to decompress for all the Lord that is done. I don't know about you girls, but after I come away from a camp, a retreat, a conference, I, I feel exhausted, but so good all at the same time. But I do think that even how I prepare myself mentally after, because it's not retreats, not a hype moment. This is something that is meant to carry on into, you know, your everyday life. But I think even on a practical note, the Bible really does talk about that we aren't to just be hearers of the Word, but to be doers.
So to me, if God speaks something, I'm just going to use an example because this has happened before. The Lord might start speaking to me about something he's asking me to do, to share the gospel with someone, the coffee shop down the road. Yeah, well, I can hear it retreat, that God's asking me to do that. But then I need to come up with a plan of God. Okay, I'm not going to just be a hero Now I'm actually going to go do it.
[00:12:10] Speaker A: Fantastic.
[00:12:11] Speaker C: Some of you might be like, the Lord is calling you to a season of really intentionally reading your word.
So it's great that you hear that at retreat, but actually we now need to come with a non negotiable attitude of I'm whatever the Lord asks. Whatever I receive from God is I'm going to then do that thing and put it into action not from striving, but from a man. I just am so excited that I've received something from Jesus and I'm going to put it into practice. So I do think sometimes when people even say camps or conferences can be hype, it can feel like that. But the transformation is actually meant to impact your Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. So I think after retreat, I wonder if we could even get ready and be prepared for what God wants to do and speak that there's actually going to be action to take after.
[00:12:56] Speaker A: Yeah. That's so good.
[00:12:58] Speaker B: That's so good. Just while we were talking about all of this training and things like that, I was reminded of a scripture in First Corinthians where Paul is talking about the need for self discipline.
And I'm just going to read it out and so 1st Corinthians 9, verse 24. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run? But hang on. But only one gets the prize. Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do not get a crown that they. They do it to get a crown that will last. That will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly. I do not. I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No. I strike a blow to my body, make it a slave, and make it my slave. So that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for. For the prize.
[00:13:54] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:13:54] Speaker B: I think there is such a.
An easy thing for us, like you said, to make a retreat a mountaintop moment.
[00:14:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:14:02] Speaker B: And not actually put into practice some of those things that happen. We have a moment with God and it's incredible. And it's like, whoa, we're on a high. And because we've got that high and that excitement and that like we feel full in our spirit, we then kind of move out of that place and we don't keep getting filled by the Spirit in that place and unto something. And I think there is. I mean, there's so much scripture that talks about how it's important how we steward our lives. But we are like we have a purpose in our life and with the things God calls us to, we have to run out, run our race not aimlessly, but with purpose and intention. And sometimes that looks like self discipline. Great, because as we're not going to feel the, just the, the fun full feeling that we get when we're in community, everyone's at retreat, so we're all getting up early to read our Bibles and pray and that kind of stuff, the high, that kind of feeling fades because feelings come and go.
But the reality is, is that when we put these things in with self discipline, we can run our race well and we can continue what God does in that place beyond that moment.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: Yeah, that's really good.
And as you're talking about as well, not striving, like yes, being posture, but not striving. How do we even, especially if we're people that are prone to be disciplined, how do we posture ourselves in a way that we can actually get there and receive? Because I think sometimes we can be really good givers but not very good receivers. And especially if, you know, we've got so many incredible people that are so servant hearted and love to just do for God and do everything and yes, be doers of the word. But like sometimes he asks us just to sit and receive. What would you say to that?
[00:15:45] Speaker C: So can I, Can I be vulnerable?
[00:15:47] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:15:48] Speaker C: Is that all right?
All right, listeners, here we go.
There was a season not that long ago actually where I've always served my local church. I serve a lot in what I do just in general. I lead a movement at the moment and there's a lot of serving, a lot of giving, a lot of others that I'm pouring into.
And so I had this moment where I felt I needed to sit in our church services a bit more than normal. I do anyway because I'm part of our leadership. But I do obviously serve our church a lot too. And there was just something off in my heart where all I decided to do was I kept rostering myself on to be in the kids ministry. I'm not even serving normally in kids ministry. I do other things, but I just was like, I just want to hold a baby and hang out and just of course, serve genuinely authentically. But I just had gotten to a point where I was a little bit maybe, I know if it was discouragement, I don't know if it was a little bit of passivity, but I just found it really hard to receive in that moment. And I Felt like the Lord challenged me. He says, mads, you can't keep going to the kids ministry, though. That's beautiful. If you serving kids shout at you, it is a mighty, mighty work, those screaming children.
But I really feel that there's sometimes an invitation, especially if you are more of a doer, to actually be like God. This might feel uncomfortable. You know, some people actually find it easier to sit and receive, and others find it a lot easier to serve. And so I guess the challenge is, is are you coming to retreat to. Yes, serve. I'm sure there's going to be amazing people serving, but God does actually want to speak to you. Would you position your heart in a place that you are ready to receive for what he has for you? And can I just say it? There's permission.
There's radical permission, especially if you're a leader on, on this pod right now. Listening. I think sometimes we forget we need Jesus just as much.
[00:17:46] Speaker B: Yes, say it.
[00:17:46] Speaker C: I need Jesus just as much as the person who might not be in my leadership position. In fact, honestly, I probably need him more because I'm so desperate for his wisdom and guidance. So I think there's also a permission of just not. Not taking it too seriously from the point of view of, like, okay, I've got to, like, strive and do this and that. But actually, no. Would you come into this place of coming to receive? The Lord does want to speak to you.
[00:18:11] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:18:12] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
[00:18:13] Speaker C: Let me tell you. The Lord wants to speak to you. The Lord wants to refresh you. The Lord wants to give you some next steps. The Lord wants you to have a moment with him that is transformational. And so come expectant, come ready. There's full permission. And I just know it's just going to be such an incredible time.
[00:18:31] Speaker A: That's so good. I'll just share one little story as we wrap up. Last year at. At Young Adults Retreat, we had Pastor Cody, who is my pastor at, at our Young Adults Retreat. And it was amazing. And it was, yeah, obviously I was serving because I was leading, running this, this whole retreat. But there was this moment at the very end, the very last session, that I actually gave myself permission to receive and just got wrecked by the Lord. And it was so special because, yes, I had a duty. I had. I had things to do, but also when I allowed myself to be in the place of discomfort and, well, if things go off schedule, if things don't go to plan, I have to be okay with that is actually when, yeah, the Lord really came through. So my encouragement to you guys, is whatever is the discomfort for you, embrace that, because that's where the Lord meets you. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, so he comes in our discomfort. So if you're a server and you need to distract yourself with doing, put yourself in the discomfort of not doing. If you're someone that usually sits, like, put yourself in the discomfort of serving others.
[00:19:44] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:19:44] Speaker A: And come postured. And we just know the Lord will meet you there.
[00:19:48] Speaker C: It's gonna be so good.
[00:19:50] Speaker A: It's gonna be amazing.
[00:19:51] Speaker C: I don't know if I'll be able.
Be able. Should I say to speak. I'll just be like, yes, Lloyd. Just as I. Come on, do it, Lloyd.
Minimum.
[00:20:01] Speaker A: Oh, so good. Well, any final thoughts? Want to encourage our young adults with, like, obviously, make sure that they register and they're there.
[00:20:09] Speaker C: Yes. That's number one. That is number one. Number two, please pack your toothbrush. That's really important.
I think there's a song that just has been encouraging me recently, and I think this is going to be quite marking for.
[00:20:22] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:20:22] Speaker C: Our retreat. But it's. It's the song room, and it just says, when you're in the room, heaven can happen. When you're in the room, nothing else matters. And I. I just feel like heaven wants to come into that room.
[00:20:35] Speaker A: Come on.
[00:20:36] Speaker C: And I just wonder with our expectation, in our faith, I really wonder what transformation is going to happen in us individually, but also corporately.
[00:20:46] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:20:46] Speaker C: As new me young adults, I just really feel like there's. It's like there's a rumbling under the surface. And I feel that heaven wants to come in. And I guess my encouragement or even my challenge is like, let's expect heaven to come. Let's expect that Jesus himself is going to walk through that room and with that attitude and posture, he's going to fill us. He's going to empower us and give us any next step that he has for us. But I'm so honored. I'm so excited. Can't wait to meet all of you, hang out with all of you, and very honored to be here.
[00:21:21] Speaker A: Yeah. Amen. All right, I'm going to pray for us. Then we will say goodbye and we will see you guys at retreat. You'll get to meet Madison because. Because this is audio only. You'll have to come to retreat if you want to see what she looks like.
[00:21:33] Speaker C: What do I look like?
Like, that's not what I was expecting.
[00:21:40] Speaker A: Oh, well, thank you, Jesus. Lord, we just thank you so much for this opportunity that we get as young adult community. To gather every year to set aside time, to seek your face, to be equipped by the word, to be empowered, to go deeper into community. And, Lord, I thank you, Father, that if there is anyone listening right now that is unsure about whether they should come, that, Lord, Father, that you would open the door, that you would make a way for that to happen for them. I thank you, Lord, that even as they are listening, that you are preparing their hearts, that you are nudging them. Do I need a fast? Do I need to pray? Do I need to wake up earlier? Do I need to commit myself to the Lord in some way? Say yes or no to something so that I can be postured to receive what you have for me. And Lord, we pray that you would come and meet us. We thank you that you are the prize, that you are the goal.
You're the reason why we're meeting. Not just to make new friends, not for any other reason, but to meet with you. And so, Lord, we thank you for this opportunity. We get to do just that. And I thank you, Lord, for Madison, for opening the door, for her to be able to come and minister to us.
Lord, we pray that as she continues to prepare, that you would speak to her, that you would give her wisdom, you would give her the words, that you would give her downloads from heaven to minister in Jesus name. And the Lord as she ministers, that she would not only be giving, but she would receive from heaven as well.
So, Lord, we commit all of our new young adults to you, and we pray that you would bless this time that we get together in Jesus name. Amen.
[00:23:10] Speaker C: Amen.
[00:23:11] Speaker A: Yay. So fun.
