Reflections From an Ultimate Experience

I recently had the privilege of spending 4 uninterrupted days at a beautiful, ahem, "charming" camp with about 120 energetic, enthusiastic middle school students from LCBC. This is the second summer I served at Ultimate Experience Camp, and I thought I'd recount a few lessons I learned and some moments that served as reminders for me. I write in the context of students, but perhaps these notes could be applied to "others."

1. There is FRUIT! It was an absolute honor to serve alongside several of the high school students that I minister to each week as a part of our high school ministry at LCBC as they stepped up and served as leaders to the middle school students. I had several tearful, goose bump-type moments throughout the weekend as I paused to:

• see a high school student having a quiet moment as a camper poured their heart out
• listen to stories of precious cabin times and communion being led
• hear deeply heartfelt prayers for others
  
• see immense joy on sleepy faces as our high schoolers gave their all to love on students

I have a renewed sense of hope and excitement as I saw the hours of love poured into these kids being poured out through their actions, words, and love for others. May we never, ever forget the impact our service and love for students (and others in general) has on their lives!

2. Every little word and/or action matters. The night before the campers arrived, the UE Camp volunteers gathered to get acquainted with each other and the grounds of the camp, pray for our students, and relax before the marathon that is four solid days of student ministry. Numerous times throughout that evening, I heard several of the high school student leaders recall "remember when" moments that had occurred when they, themselves were UE campers years earlier. In those moments I was reminded that our actions and words do NOT go unnoticed. In fact, more times than not, someone is probably taking mental notes and ingraining even the littlest moments into their memory. This is both awesome and scary at the same, thus carrying with it a tremendous responsibility to be forever mindful of our audience, actions, and words. What kind of impact are you having?

3. The implications of Family. To many of us, talking about family comes easy, but to some this topic is almost impossible. During the evening gatherings we discussed the following:

• God is father.
• We are His children.
• We are brothers and sisters.

It became apparent that as soon as we began talking about the family of God, just how important it was keep in mind that each of us brings something different to the table based on our own childhood and upbringing. It was an honor to speak with many students over the week as they recognized what this means in their own lives. Each morning, the various cabins had an opportunity to creatively display their thoughts pertaining to the day's topic. I was beyond proud of my girls as they identified God as their protector, provider, and shelter in the storms of life. They also noted that we belong to God. Never underestimate the mind of a middle schooler...they get it!

4. Life is messy...and way more fun when we walk through it together! 'nuff said.


5. Never let the details get in the way of God's work. UE camp is one of my favorite experiences of the summer...in fact, I'd go back and do it all over again in a heart beat. The camp itself, however, leaves much to be desired. As leaders, we were challenged not to let the "endearing" camp grounds prevent us from having those special moments with kids. God works everywhere, regardless of where you are, who is around, what you would rather be doing, what time of day (or night) it is, if your stomach is growling, and if you've literally got an ear-full of shaving cream. I know I sometimes get so fixated on the details that I sometimes forget my bigger purpose is to "love God and love others," no ifs, ands, or buts. We walk on sacred ground...


6. Winning isn't everything...or is it? Each night at UE, the cabin teams would gather together to compete in some sort of competition. My personal favorite is Mission Impossible...essentially, this is a glorified game of Capture the Flag with four-wheelers, Gestapo, spot lights, and large groups of kids attempting to silently wander through the woods in the dark with their fearless leaders (ha!). Our team was captured time and time again as we tried to navigate to find our flags, and we quickly realized we weren't going to win the game. I was blown away by the tenacity and resiliency of the kids as they persevered, all winning aside, to work together as a team, ahem, as brothers and sisters, to encourage and build each other up. A sweet moment came when one of the boys on our team who could have just as easily been guiding us through the weeds and branches opted to remain at the very rear of the group to be there for his team mates who were struggling to keep up. We were still traipsing around in search for our final flag when the game ended, but what a teachable moment! So we couldn't declare victory over the other teams, but that didn't stop us from embracing in one big, sweaty group hug, high-fives, and a celebratory chant...my kids didn't win points, but they won life lessons I hope they never forget.

7. Talk about it. God is doing big things in the lives of those around us. Why not share? As a small group of leaders haphazardly gathered in the picnic grove at Mount Gretna Lake on the last day of camp, I was quickly reminded how precious each of our stories is and what an immense encouragement we can be to each other if we just take a few moments to talk about it. Even now I get chills knowing that at this very moment, God is still crafting and working in the hearts of those I served with over those few days. A former Amish guy, proud of his heritage, with aspirations of attending Bible College; a dad who deeply desires and strives to build community and relationships with other families; a mom who sacrificed days of precious family time to serve students...people from all different walks united for one Love. Many of us entered those four days as acquaintances, but left as family.

There are lessons to be learned with each new experience and in the moments of each day.

Seek and you will find...

Change. Comfort. Conformity.

For someone who historically has not enjoyed major change in my life, I have encountered a good bit lately...and surprisingly have lived to write about it! And even more significantly, I've come to a place where I've learned to embrace this thing called "change" as part of growth...albeit uncomfortable, a tad bit painful, and downright emotionally draining. I've learned in a new way what it means to trust...and not the "trust where your heart is leading" kind of trust (because we know the heart can be deceitful), but the "trust where God is leading" kind of blind trust.

For me, this has meant saying NO to the approval and satisfaction of the popular majority and saying YES to stepping out in faith when it hasn't made sense to many (and admittedly, often times, myself). All this recent change in my life has brought about wonderful, deep, significant conversations with family and friends where I've been able to share the raw and intimate details of the work God has been performing. On the flip side, this same change has caused some heart-wrenching conversations with God and others where I've been challenged to consider my motives and some of the shadows in my life that I had long forgotten. What has emerged, however, is a clarity and a renewing of my own spirit that has been blazoned with an excitement and anticipation that, to date, I have never known.

As I set out on a new adventure and chapter in my personal journey, it is my hope that change is no longer something I flee from, but rather something that I continue to learn to embrace with a fury and vigor...for with that comes new perspective and much adventure.

Thinking back over the past several years (some good, some so-so, and some just downright awful), I am beginning to recognize God's sovereignty and divine appointments as He has prepared me and pruned me for this next step in my life. I am able to clearly identify moments, interactions, and conversations that have steered me in one direction or the next, knowledge that has been bestowed upon me (whether I was willingly seeking it or not), and opportunities that have been afforded to me that have further shaped my thoughts and actions.

Allow me to brag on my God for a moment as I promise you that my story is one of recognition of the redemption and healing that has only been seen as such as the minutes have ticked away. I challenge you to think of your own life and take a moment to allow God to reveal the redemptive work He has done or is in the process of doing for you, too...

Part of this process for me has been acknowledging my out-stretched hand for that which is comfortable. This has come in the form of security in relationships, jobs, and the never-ending strive for acceptance from others. In that, I had wandered down paths that have transformed my mind and life into something that was unrecognizable, self-centered, and quite pitiful. Over the past few months, as I've evaluated the most intimate details and moments of my life I can happily say that these valleys that I once traveled were necessary in order to be called to the place where I currently stand...on solid ground where the rains and storms can come and I know I will never stand alone. And, not to say that i will never again go through valleys, for God promises WHEN not IF, but I know when I do the comforts that I once latched onto mean absolutely nothing.

Removing my claws from this attachment to comfort is an on-going process, a battle that is renewed each and every day. But let this be my stance to negate conformity. No longer do I desire to be seen accepted in the world's eyes, but rather I deeply intend to have my moments--second by second--be intentional as I strive for approval in no one's eyes but my God.

So, I will embrace change, forgo comfort, and deny conformity when it stands in the way of being a life that is changed by a Love that surpasses all understanding...

No Clue.

Not sure why, but after ample wrestling God's put it on my heart to begin blogging again.

Here within you will find my personal thoughts & questions on this journey of faith, love, and life as seen from my small perspective as I strive to learn more about what it means to live like and abide in Jesus.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...There's a little light inside us all."