Well, a few days ago, my summer of camp came to a close. It was a summer of fun, trials, silliness, and frustration.
The weather was beautiful this summer, and at times I had to just take a step back and take it all in again. I hate to miss the beauty of such place and only be focused on the duties. It was a gorgeous setting. I loved driving on weekends for the weekly chick-fil-a and Target stop. We would listen to Taylor Swift, talk about life, campers, and just enjoy being alive by remembering the blessings of such a summer.
I don't think I could ask for better staff. The staff couples had their homes open just about any time for us and had their homes stocked with plenty of keurig k-cups :) We were well taken care of and had a great support system through the weeks of campers and a place to go that didn't make you feel like you were still on the campgrounds on the weekends. College life has never made me so grateful for a home!
Sunday mornings we met with our small groups--we were divided into four groups-- one for each camp family to take in. We would enjoy breakfast and work through the book of Philippians via a Matt Chandler series. I learned so much about the Christian life through that time and still need to finish watching a few of the weeks!!
Mondays were probably the hardest for me. Taking on 8 more campers to get to know and work with always came to me as a daunting task. There was always constant change and personalities I had to learn and make feel at home. As the week progressed I would love it more. I would grow to really care about the girls as individuals and desire to see growth.
Sometimes it hurt to let them go back and I wished I had longer with them. I grieved and wished I could fix their circumstances and give them assurance that it will all be better soon. There were moments when I wrestled with God about His goodness and sovereignty and how those can work together. I begged the question of how I could promise that all things work together for good for those who love God. I wondered, how could one trust God when it appears that all is against them? Why should they turn to Him when I really cannot promise relief from their current and very real problems?
During these moments, so many people spoke truth into my life, reminding me that God IS for them. God is good. God is faithful.
I was reminded of the those who rejected Christ because He was not as they pictured. The Jewish people were looking for relief from the Roman Empire--they sought an earthly king to change the now.
But that's not what Christ came to do.
Christ came to save from the power of sin and death. In fact, He promises trials in this life. But, He promises a better hope. He promises to give us freedom from living in bondage to ourselves and this world.
I can't save the human race from injustice single handedly. But I can offer the hope that Christ gives beyond this world. I can offer the joyful hope of knowing Him in this life.
So, what are we looking for now? Is it an easy life, throwing it to the world and its temporary yet back-biting pleasures? Or, are we looking to the eternal King who has dominion over all and and is faithful to His promises?
God is good and He is for us-- He won't forsake us. He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him.
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