Those two words bring back memories. My first trip to camp was as a
sophomore in high school as a student. I have done it all at camp. Leading a
small group and teaching a bible study, leading recreation, planning special
events and late night activities. For eight years I was camp director for FBC
Nocona and 7 other churches in Texas at our camp in Panama City Beach Florida.
From 1996-2005 I travelled and led worship at camps seeing just about every
type and program you can imagine. At Super Summer I wore a wig and did the cake
mix water slide. In Florida we had late night worship on the beach as the waves
rolled in. In the mountains of Big Bear California I watched as each new
believer rang a bell to signify their new life in Christ. In Oklahoma at the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership camp I witnessed high school and
college athletes and their coaches come together and commit to play and coach
their sports to the glory of God.
In 1998, as I was flying home from a camp in California, I was waiting on
a plane in Albuquerque New Mexico. I watched as a young woman said goodbye to
her boyfriend. They were both very sad and it was heart breaking. After he
boarded the plane she stayed and watched him depart. These words came to me and
I wrote this song....”7 am and I’m in the
airport in Albuquerque...jet planes, mountains, blue skies...they take my
breath away. She’s weeping...missing the one that she loves, and all of a
sudden I realize. What we see.... is all just temporary...the real life is
waiting for us.....on the other side. We will see the artist.... creator of the
tapestry ...and understand His Love....for us.” We will have our time with
God here on earth but it will not compare to what it will be like when we
actually see him. I can imagine that Jesus leaving the disciples was sad and
joyful at the same time. He was alive yet they missed Him. I have seen and
experienced things at camps that were amazing. There have been times at church
I could feel the spirit of God moving. But those are temporary. We will see the
real thing when we see Jesus. It won’t involve a place or a specific event. We
will just see Him. God makes it plain for us....“Are you tired? Worn out?
Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your
life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with
me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything
heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and
you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:29 The Message.
That’s what camp can be for students a place to unplug and rest and see
what it may look like on the other side. Are we allowing God to let us rest?
Are the to do lists taking over your
life? We had
a great summer camp but its temporary. We can’t go to camp every day all
summer. But God has given our students that time to recharge and focus. Come on
and join us in the pool and relax a bit. Come see the other side.
Let’s go! fight! win! this week everybody.
Submitted By Eric Adcock
