"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" -Matthew 19:14
I hardly know where to begin--I have not blogged in weeks, not for lack of inspiration, but for lack of time and patience. I don't like to write unless I can take the time to think and write well. I've been busy, busy, busy getting things ready for school--making lists, filling out paperwork, getting my immunizations updated *shudder*. At this point, if I have to sign my name on one more piece of paper, I might just scream.
But, in the midst of scrambling to meet various deadlines, God slammed me to a screeching halt. Being a counselor at a week of Park Springs camp sounded like a lot of fun... months ago. But just last Saturday, as I was tossing shorts and t-shirts into a backpack, all I could think of was the stuff at home that I was leaving undone... for yet another week. I was focused on the external; God, as always, was focused on the eternal.
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" -Isaiah 55:8-9
I had never been to Park Springs as a camper; Bible Bowl had always completely occupied my summer. So, going into last week, I had no idea what to expect. I'd been told that I was going to be a cabin mom. (Come again?) I'd been asked to be a family leader. (A what?) I'd been asked to teach fourth and fifth grade students about personal devotions. (Oh boy...) "What have I gotten myself into?" was the phrase I silently repeated to myself on the drive up to the camp.
When I arrived, though, all my mental background noise faded into silence. All I could do was look around in wonder... and breathe. For the first time in weeks, I stopped and listened to God.
"'Be still, and know that I am God.'" -Psalm 46:10a
The theme of the week was "Primal Worship." Dan Hipply, Involvement Minister at my home church, was the camp dean, and he defined the week this way: Primal means first or original; of first importance; fundamental. Worship is reverent honor; to hold in the highest position of importance. In other words, our first priority--our essential task--is to worship God. He must be foremost in our minds, hearts, and lives. I know the week was meant for the kids, but that week-long message resounded in my heart.
GOD HAS TO COME BEFORE ALL MY DEADLINES.
It's strange to me, how quickly I can lose sight of things I've always known. My life always reaches a new level of chaotic every time my focus shifts from God even slightly. All the stress and worry of the weeks prior to camp could have been avoided, if I had just taken the time to remember that God is guiding and directing my life.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jeremiah 29:11
The entirety of last week was spent focusing on God, from Arming for the Day (morning devos) with my tribe each morning to the Evening Flame (campfire) each night, every thought, every heartbeat, every breath, was about God. It was about talking to God, listening to God, learning about God, praising God, serving God... there was no way to avoid a God-focus last week. All of the usual distractions were removed. It was all about Him.
It seemed that the week flew by; one moment we were arriving, and the next moment we were packing up to leave again. I cannot even begin to recount everything that occurred in between! But it struck me, that week of camp, that even when you do not know what God is doing, so long as you are willing and obedient, you will serve His purposes. I am a detail-oriented person (a dalmatian, for those of you who know what that means). I like to know the what, when, where, why, and how of everything. When God asks me to do something, my first response--I am sad to say--is not action. I begin by gathering information and weighing my options... when really all the information I need is God's direction, and the only options I have are obedience and disobedience.
I thank God that he made me willing and obedient, because the past week with these kids has been amazing. They have surprised me at every turn with their joy, their positivity, their diligence, and the amazing level of excitement they display towards their Heavenly Father. When was the last time I was that excited about God? I've been serious about God, yes... but excited? Enthusiastic? Perhaps it's time for an attitude check.
By the end of the week, I had formed new friendships with my fellow counselors and close connections with the kids. I had listened to their stories. I had prayed with them; I even had the chance to pray with one young girl as she asked Jesus into her life. There is nothing quite like saying the Great Confession and hearing a child's soft, sincere voice repeat it after you; it is impossible to describe. Her life will be changed forever by that prayer... and even as clueless and clumsy as I can be sometimes, I was a part of that. It's a humbling feeling.
As I go into the rest of my year, with Atlanta just around the corner and MACU looming on the horizon, I know I will carry the memory of this week with me. Like the sparkles that dance in front of your eyes after a camera has flashed, so my experiences at camp will continue to influence the way I perceive the rest of my year. I pray that I can view it through child-like eyes of faith, worshiping God first and foremost.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
No Excuses
"There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
-2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 (NIV)
This morning at church, the congregation had the privilege of hearing the testimony of David Ring*, a nationally recognized Christian speaker in whose life God's power is marvelously displayed! Born with cerebral palsy and orphaned at age 14, it didn't seem as though this man had it in him to do great things for God. But he has, and he does, everyday.
Listening to David set my mind working. Every Christian faces challenges in their walk with God. If you haven't faced them yet, you will. Trust me. But there is something about an underdog that appeals to the human spirit. When someone who doesn't seem to have a chance beats the odds, something within us soars. That's because, deep down, we recognize the fact that we were all made for something glorious. God destined us for glory, but we were born into a world ruled by darkness and overcome by evil. Each one of us begins our existence with the deck stacked against us.
Like David, some of us have physical handicaps. Others have mental or emotional handicaps. We all have our quirks and hang-ups that can sometimes seem like immovable mountains... but we're no the only children of God who've been dealt a lousy hand.
Adam was a coward; Eve was naive; Cain was a murderer; Noah was a drunk; Abraham was a liar; Jacob was a thief; Joseph was a slave; Moses had a speech impediment; Rahab was a prostitute; Gideon was timid; Jephthah was an illegitimate child; Samson was a womanizer; Ruth was a widow; David was an adulterer; Solomon worshiped idols; Elijah was the only prophet left in Israel; Esther lived under a genocidal prime minister; Job... well, let's not even get into that... Jeremiah was depressed; Daniel was an exile; Hosea was married to a wayward woman; Jonah was judgmental; John the Baptist was a weirdo; Mary was an unwed mother; James and John had anger issues; Peter was impulsive; Thomas doubted; Judas was a backstabber; and Lazarus was DEAD, for crying out loud! What's your excuse?
Instead of using our issues as cop-outs, we should use them as a platforms for sharing our story. Yeah, it takes guts to admit to all the faults of your old nature, but pretending to be perfect isn't what showcases Christ's power. It's our admission of our hurts, habits and hangups--the things about ourselves that we would most like to hide--that reveals the greatness of what God has done! We have no excuse for not sharing our testimony with anyone we meet. There's no challenge we face that has not already been overcome by Christ's power.
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
-Jeremiah 32:27
"For nothing is impossible with God."
-Luke 1:37
*For more about David Ring, visit http://www.davidring.org/about.html
-2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 (NIV)
This morning at church, the congregation had the privilege of hearing the testimony of David Ring*, a nationally recognized Christian speaker in whose life God's power is marvelously displayed! Born with cerebral palsy and orphaned at age 14, it didn't seem as though this man had it in him to do great things for God. But he has, and he does, everyday.
Listening to David set my mind working. Every Christian faces challenges in their walk with God. If you haven't faced them yet, you will. Trust me. But there is something about an underdog that appeals to the human spirit. When someone who doesn't seem to have a chance beats the odds, something within us soars. That's because, deep down, we recognize the fact that we were all made for something glorious. God destined us for glory, but we were born into a world ruled by darkness and overcome by evil. Each one of us begins our existence with the deck stacked against us.
Like David, some of us have physical handicaps. Others have mental or emotional handicaps. We all have our quirks and hang-ups that can sometimes seem like immovable mountains... but we're no the only children of God who've been dealt a lousy hand.
Adam was a coward; Eve was naive; Cain was a murderer; Noah was a drunk; Abraham was a liar; Jacob was a thief; Joseph was a slave; Moses had a speech impediment; Rahab was a prostitute; Gideon was timid; Jephthah was an illegitimate child; Samson was a womanizer; Ruth was a widow; David was an adulterer; Solomon worshiped idols; Elijah was the only prophet left in Israel; Esther lived under a genocidal prime minister; Job... well, let's not even get into that... Jeremiah was depressed; Daniel was an exile; Hosea was married to a wayward woman; Jonah was judgmental; John the Baptist was a weirdo; Mary was an unwed mother; James and John had anger issues; Peter was impulsive; Thomas doubted; Judas was a backstabber; and Lazarus was DEAD, for crying out loud! What's your excuse?
Instead of using our issues as cop-outs, we should use them as a platforms for sharing our story. Yeah, it takes guts to admit to all the faults of your old nature, but pretending to be perfect isn't what showcases Christ's power. It's our admission of our hurts, habits and hangups--the things about ourselves that we would most like to hide--that reveals the greatness of what God has done! We have no excuse for not sharing our testimony with anyone we meet. There's no challenge we face that has not already been overcome by Christ's power.
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
-Jeremiah 32:27
"For nothing is impossible with God."
-Luke 1:37
*For more about David Ring, visit http://www.davidring.org/about.html
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cuts Both Ways
"Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers... and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters."
-1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NCV)
I've noticed, during the past few months, that there seems to be this invisible line between FUSION* and WIRED** that no one wants to cross. FUSION grumbles and complains about having to do things together with WIRED over the summer, when both groups are low on attendance. I think FUSION needs a major attitude adjustment. Bussey seems to agree with me, saying that we need to set a good example for WIRED over the summer. But I think we can do so much more than simply minding our manners. I think we need to go above and beyond just setting a good example. I think it's time we got our hands dirty.
Over the past year, the small groups have been working through the book, Do Hard Things. In my group, a topic that was often discussed was the low expectations of most of the adults in our lives. When adults think that we are immature, irresponsible, incapable and incorrigible, we tend to act that way. It is so hard to offer our best when people are expecting our worst. But this blade is double-edged. We want people to raise their expectations and think better of us... but we are unwilling to think better of our young brothers and sisters in WIRED. We prefer to think of them as inferior beings of limited intelligence who have a lot of evolving to do before they can join the civilized world.
This is a wrong way of thinking. This is what Christ has to say to that brand of arrogance:
"At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?' For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time!'"
Matthew 18:1-6 (The Message)
This summer, God has placed FUSION in a unique position of influence. The students of FUSION and WIRED will be taught together on a weekly basis. We'll be traveling to Atlanta, GA together for the mission trip. We'll be working and learning side by side. And whether they realize it or not, they'll be looking to us to set the standard. We can either treat this as an unpleasant duty or as an incredible opportunity. It's not enough for us to do our own hard things; we're supposed to show the ones who will come after us how to do hard things too.
We're the adults of tomorrow; do we really want to be shaking our heads ten years from now, bemoaning the failings of our teenagers? Or would we rather begin to impact the next generation of teenagers now, so that we can rejoice with them in their triumphs?
The power of expectations cuts both ways. By expecting little of the WIRED students, we don't just rob them of the opportunity to learn from us. We also cripple ourselves, throwing away the opportunity to grow through the sharing of our experiences. FUSION and WIRED have a lot to learn from each other. Their questions will sharpen our knowledge and strengthen our convictions; our answers will increase their wisdom and build their faith. But we have to invest before we earn interest; we have to plow and plant before we harvest.
I believe that it is the responsibility of the older, stronger, more mature Christians to mentor and disciple the younger, weaker and less mature.
"We who are strong in faith should help the weak with their weaknesses, and not please only ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith."
-Romans 15:1-2 (NCV)
We need to change the way we've been thinking about this summer, FUSION students. This is our chance to share ourselves with the WIRED kids, and help to build them up in Christ. Take advantage of this opportunity; the days are evil.
*High School Youth Group
**Middle School Youth Group
-1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NCV)
I've noticed, during the past few months, that there seems to be this invisible line between FUSION* and WIRED** that no one wants to cross. FUSION grumbles and complains about having to do things together with WIRED over the summer, when both groups are low on attendance. I think FUSION needs a major attitude adjustment. Bussey seems to agree with me, saying that we need to set a good example for WIRED over the summer. But I think we can do so much more than simply minding our manners. I think we need to go above and beyond just setting a good example. I think it's time we got our hands dirty.
Over the past year, the small groups have been working through the book, Do Hard Things. In my group, a topic that was often discussed was the low expectations of most of the adults in our lives. When adults think that we are immature, irresponsible, incapable and incorrigible, we tend to act that way. It is so hard to offer our best when people are expecting our worst. But this blade is double-edged. We want people to raise their expectations and think better of us... but we are unwilling to think better of our young brothers and sisters in WIRED. We prefer to think of them as inferior beings of limited intelligence who have a lot of evolving to do before they can join the civilized world.
This is a wrong way of thinking. This is what Christ has to say to that brand of arrogance:
"At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?' For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time!'"
Matthew 18:1-6 (The Message)
This summer, God has placed FUSION in a unique position of influence. The students of FUSION and WIRED will be taught together on a weekly basis. We'll be traveling to Atlanta, GA together for the mission trip. We'll be working and learning side by side. And whether they realize it or not, they'll be looking to us to set the standard. We can either treat this as an unpleasant duty or as an incredible opportunity. It's not enough for us to do our own hard things; we're supposed to show the ones who will come after us how to do hard things too.
We're the adults of tomorrow; do we really want to be shaking our heads ten years from now, bemoaning the failings of our teenagers? Or would we rather begin to impact the next generation of teenagers now, so that we can rejoice with them in their triumphs?
The power of expectations cuts both ways. By expecting little of the WIRED students, we don't just rob them of the opportunity to learn from us. We also cripple ourselves, throwing away the opportunity to grow through the sharing of our experiences. FUSION and WIRED have a lot to learn from each other. Their questions will sharpen our knowledge and strengthen our convictions; our answers will increase their wisdom and build their faith. But we have to invest before we earn interest; we have to plow and plant before we harvest.
I believe that it is the responsibility of the older, stronger, more mature Christians to mentor and disciple the younger, weaker and less mature.
"We who are strong in faith should help the weak with their weaknesses, and not please only ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith."
-Romans 15:1-2 (NCV)
We need to change the way we've been thinking about this summer, FUSION students. This is our chance to share ourselves with the WIRED kids, and help to build them up in Christ. Take advantage of this opportunity; the days are evil.
*High School Youth Group
**Middle School Youth Group
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