Why are we important to God?

                At the beginning of each session in our cabin we do an activity that allows campers to ask questions. Each camper is given an index card during devotions. On this index card they are asked to write a question or a set of questions. These can be questions that they have about Jesus, the bible, or anything related to our relationship with Jesus. They can also write on the card that they have problem at home or school that they want help with. They are not required to put their name on the card. This allows all campers to freely ask questions that may be on their heart. If it is a question without a name listed, then we will answer it later in the week during devotion. If they write their name on the card, then we address the question/problem with them specifically. This gives kids the opportunity to get their questions answered and to seek that help and guidance that they may have come to camp looking for.  I have found this activity very helpful as it helps to start conversations with campers very early on during the week. It is also another means for the camper to express himself. 

                Last night we answered several questions listed on the cards. One question that a camper wrote was “Why are we important to God.” As we talked through this question last night we got to the heart of what this question was all about. The meat of this question was “Why does God love us so much.” As Christians we are called to recognize the unconditional love that God has for us. Once we have recognized it, we must accept it. Sometimes though we can struggle with this, whether we are a Christian or not. We can often struggle with accepting God’s love for us even though we know it’s there, waiting for us. We have this sin problem in our lives. But because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, displaying the ultimate love for us, because of that, we can be saved from this sin. 

                Each and every day here at camp I am reminded time after time why we are so important to God and why he loves us so much, despite how many times we screw up. We make a complete mess out of ourselves, even on our best day, and yet, God’s grace and love for is greater than anything we could ever say or do. That alone gives me energy to live every day glorifying God through my actions. Knowing that his love is so great for me that no matter how hard or fall I fall, he will be there to pick me up is the comfort I need to carry me every step of the way. 

                This has been a big week for me. I received my official acceptance letter to Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I will begin school there on August 20^th working towards a Masters of Divinity Degree. I was also offered a job as a Site Director in the YMCA after-school program in North Carolina. After much consideration, I turned down that job offer as I did not feel that was where God was leading me right now. The next step in my journey is to find a job for this coming year. There are several opportunities that I am currently exploring right now, all with their own perks and challenges, all with sacrifices that will have to be made to accept the job. The difficult part is waiting to see how everything unfolds. 

                In the midst of figuring out plans for the fall, I am wrapping up the final 2 week session of the summer. After next Friday, a majority of the staff will leave and we will have the one week Starter Camp to close out the summer. The physical strain has kicked in this summer. I have found myself needing rest more and unable to push through.  This day off was much needed. Now it’s to push forward, not looking back, not looking ahead, but giving it all each and every day, one step at a time.

How great You are

         

          The past two weeks were the best two weeks I have ever had at camp in the four years I have been here. I could not have asked for a better cabin. Not only did I begin with a good cabin, I was able to see tremendous growth in each camper this session. This was the most difficult group of kids to say goodbye to because I became the most emotionally attached to them. I feel this happened for several reasons. First, I was able to make a genuine connection with each camper, something I find difficult each session. There are kids that we will naturally gravitate towards but this session was different. I was able to find that connection with each one of them. These kids were just simply awesome. They were a pure joy to be around. They taught me just as much, possibly more than I taught them, about the important things in life.

       As these campers have left there have been several things that have popped into my mind. I'm going to miss these kids, each and every one of them. I have very fond memories of this past session. In thinking about those memories from the past session, it has made me realize the memories lost from previous sessions this summer. I had some really good kids the sessions before this last one and  those memories have seemed to fade away. At camp we can't dwell too long on the past because the future is there waiting for us. Things at camp move so quickly. One moment it's opening day, the next you're saying goodbye. 

       I feel scatterbrained right now as I write this post. I know for this next session, I need to be focused. This is the last full session of the summer. I know it will be difficult, especially since I am coming off a high from the last session. But this is part of the challenge. I know that this new cabin will present new and different challenges than I have seen already this summer. When we lose focus or sight of the goal, it can become nearly impossible to find out way on our own. When we find ourselves lost, we must turn to the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  I download this past week a bunch of music by Christian artist Phil Wichkam. One of the album was called "Cannons". The chorus to this song has been echoing my ears this past week.

You are holy great and mighty

The moon and the stars declare who You are.

 I'm so unworthy, but still You love me 

Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

       When I find myself going back to a song or a set of lyrics, then I feel like its an indicator that God may be trying to get my attention. So, I am turning my attention to these lyrics and how they apply to the here and now.

       We are so unworthy of God's love and grace. We will mess up on a daily basis. And yet, God's love for us never fails, it never weakens. If I am to finish strong this summer, I must remember this. I need God's strength and love every day, but I also need his grace.

The work that God has ordained me to this summer is a blessing. It's a blessing because just as I am pouring into these kids, trying to help them know this awesome guy named Jesus, the Lord is also poring into me. How can I not sing his praises and exhale his name each and every day?

Prayer: Jesus, you truly are great and mighty. Help us to recognize that on a daily basis and let that be the replenishment that we need each and every day. Let us find that rest in you because you are so great and so mighty. We are not worthy of your love and yet you love us still. What greater love can we rest upon knowing your love for us is greater than anything else. Amen.

Finding Rest...

 “…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

            Today (Saturday) I spend the morning/afternoon canoeing down the French Broad River in Asheville, NC. It was a 7 mile trip and took about 4 hours. I went with a camper and his family. It was a very peaceful trip. There were beautiful mountain views and it was a good reminder of how we too often take God’s creation for granted. As we began the trip, the noises of the road could be heard from the river, but once we got down steam, it became very peaceful and quiet.

            As I paddled down the river, I also took some time to reflect on the summer. We are at the ½ way point in the summer. I have found this summer to be the most challenging, stressful, spiritually, mentally and physically draining summer I have had thus far. God has called me to some challenging situations already and I know he has more in store for me over the next few weeks. Often times though, this is the way God works. He doesn’t call us to easy things. He also does not call us to things that we can do on our own.  

            God will call us to difficult things, seemingly impossible tasks, things that if we try to do on our own, we will fail at. We must draw our strength from the Lord when going about his work. He will ordain the work that we are doing if we trust him, but we must also trust him to provide the strength and guidance to complete the task.

            In doing this difficult work, it will often leave us drained, physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. This can certainly happen in the summer camp setting. When you are working 24/7 with little rest or break, it can become easy to be drained. We must do the basics, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and stay healthy. These things we can often do on our own and will help keep us physically in check. We will become spiritually, mentally and emotionally drained though. For that, we must seek rest in our Lord. We must turn to him because he wants to provide that rest for us. He does this because he loves us, because he knows that the work he has called us to do is impossible without his strength. He knows that we must be replenished because the work is never-ending and there is much to be done.

            We must seek that rest though. We must go to Him. He is waiting on us and ready to provide and recharge us, but we must have the willing heart to seek him. I am reminded today that I need rest, not just physical rest, but spiritual rest. I need to refocus on the assignment that God has called me to this summer. The past few days have been difficult and stressful. This break was a much needed rest to refocus and to prepare for the second half of the summer. Now it’s time to hit the ground running and seize every moment given to me to share the message of Jesus with the campers that come through the gates!

Pray without ceasing: 

1.      Pray for Will NeSmith, a camper in Session 1 who collapsed at camp due to a brain injury. He is back at the rehabilitation center in Nashville now, but he has a long road ahead of him and the recovery will be slow. Pray that his brain heals and that he is fully healed. Pray for his family that the Lord will give them strength to get through this mountain in their life. 

2.      Pray for the counselors and staff here at camp. Pray that they will seek the Lord for strength and rest to accomplish the work that is set before them this summer. 

3.      Pray that each and every one of the 250 campers this session will have an encounter with Jesus this summer. Pray that their hearts will be open to receiving Jesus and the guidance that he will provide each and every one of them this summer.