Life is brilliant and there are moments, little pockets of time that make you acutely aware of this fact. If I ever doubt that serving God is the most amazing, joyful adventure ever I really only need to remember last week and I am 100% sure that doubt will go away.
If any of you know me, you know that I love camp. I don't really love TO camp, but I love camp ministry so, so very much. It's such an amazing opportunity to have the full attention of youth, to pour your heart out into people you may never see again, and to watch God literally transform lives within a weeks notice, or within a moments notice, for that matter. The King of all camps, as far as I'm concerned, is High School camp. Because if a 14-18 year old is giving up a whole week, no cell phone, no tv, no sports or work for a whole week in the prime time of freedom...you know they are serious about growing in the Lord. Which totally sets them up to see amazing things. God loves to encounter the hungry. And if I've ever seen a group of hungry 'kids' (sorry yall, that's what you are to me now) it was last week.
It all started a few months ago, when the Lord really began to stir in my heart about camp this year. After having been involved in some way at Bible Memory for 15 years I was super bummed last year that I wasn't able to be at any camps. Looking at finances and circumstances it seemed the same was going to be again for me this year. That is, until some very amazing people stepped up big and displayed the extravagant nature of God for me. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I literally ran around my deck yelling quite passionately.
But....this blog is not about me....
This blog is about the most amazing people on the face of the planet. The people that reminded me, once again, why I am alive. The people who are not going to be world changers, but already are. This blog is about the 127 campers from BMC Indiana High School Camp. I woke up yesterday and realized that I missed all of you. As I sit typing this I am weeping at how proud I feel, at how honored I am to have spent a week with you. I think I speak on behalf of all of the staff that were present last week in saying that we cannot explain how much we are certain that what began in you last week will never be stopped.
Your willingness to go where the Lord was leading last week, even if you had never experienced it before was so fun to watch. Your hunger, your passion, your humility, and your love for God and the Word makes me extremely aware that there are very good things ahead not only for you, but the people the Lord puts in your life. If you continue to press into Him, to seek out the truth in the Word, and to live the full gospel of Christ out in your life you are in for the ride of your lives!
Never forget that Christ died that you may be filled with the fullness of Him, with the fullness of His Spirit, and with power. Power to serve in every area of your life. So that the Blind will see, the deaf will hear, and so that there may be freedom for those held in bondage. You are filled with the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the grave...so what can't you do? What is impossible for the God that lives inside of you and that wants to be released through YOU to the people around you? Nothing. And I am so excited that so many of you came to this realization last week.
Where will He take you? I am so excited to see the journey He takes you on in the next years of your life as you submit everything to Him. Salvation is free, but the Kingdom will cost you everything. And it is oh, SO worth it. If you are not a camper and you're reading this, let me talk to you for a second. I know that we live in dark and troubled days. I know that things are happening everywhere that are hard and evil and unjust. But let me tell you something...as I stood before each of these last week I can honestly say that the Lord is totally winning. It's not even close. Things are getting lighter, getting better at the same time. And I will not be swayed from my position in that thinking. These 127 are my proof. God has a solution....and I know what their faces look like. They are brilliant. They are coming back to right focus...on a God who saves. On a God who loves. On a God who heals. On a God who cares. On a God who doesn't care about denominational traditions, boundaries, or men's egos. On a God who just wants to passionately pursue people with the help of us, His church. On a God who has already won, and wants us to win too.
'Kids' you've got it. Run. Keep your eyes locked on the Author of your faith. Keep your focus up on Him, establishing His kingdom everywhere you go. We're so excited for you....but it's yours to take and run with. What do you want to see happen this year?
-Focus-
-Lara-
