Two weeks of summer camp down and
a third one coming. Tomorrow teens will influx the camp—young people who are
passing through (yes, just passing…) that stage of life where nothing seems certain,
they wonder what’s wrong with their mental health, they struggle with working
together with the older generation, and they look for a way out or at least
someone with a sympathetic ear and maybe some good answers. (Good is relative.)
We’ve all been there.
Campers often think, “I love
camp! I wish I could stay here forever!” or say “You have such a wonderful job!
It must be so wonderful to be here all the time.” And the truth is…that IT IS wonderful. I AM so blessed. But I can’t help but think when I hear that, “You
have no idea if you think the fun you enjoy is all there is to it.” What a
relief when I can finally pause! I love going to bed. The days seem full to bursting.
Tomorrow the camp staff will roll
out of bed and head to morning services at our local churches and then after lunch
prepare for the onslaught of enthusiastic campers who will step off the bus or
climb from their cars fueled up on Mountain Dew and fresh and ready for fun.
Two weeks already feels like a lot more to us, but we’re constantly reminded
that every week is the first week for the campers that come. If we had to do
this on our own, we’d have to change something. But God likes to use little
things…to His credit.
If I could type 100wpm, weekly film and
edit award-winning videos, drive mint-condition boats for pleasure in the
afternoons, and knowledgeably and seamlessly run the soundboard each evening in
the service, you all would be impressed with my ability. As it goes, I can’t
type that fast, my videos don’t always turn out as I think they should, the
boats sometimes malfunction and don’t start at swim time, and I forget to bring
the files I need to the soundbooth.
Yet!...yet, God works all things
together for good. (What a relief!) Responsibilities are taken care of. Videos
are completed. Boats get fixed while campers enjoy other activities. And best
of all—campers get the message. I mean, they hear God’s word and they believe
it. And He has the chance to change their lives!
Zechariah talks about the way God
likes to use humble people (meaning: not those who can do it "like a boss”)
willing to do whatever He asks. He says it’s “not by might, not by power, but
by my spirit…for who hath despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:6, 10
I am used to fill a small roll in a big ministry. If you are willing, God is able.
