Theologically, I already knew that God's heart breaks for His children. Statistically, I already knew that teenagers struggle with broken families, body image issues, and histories of abuse. And from experience, I already knew that God would do incredible work at summer camp.
But, still...
Nothing prepared me for the overwhelming tide of brokenness. The stories of deep pain began the first night of camp. Students held nothing back, ready for God to intervene in their brokenness. Camp began with the broken half of beautiful promises: Weeping remains for a night. In our weakness. What seems impossible.
And praise our Father, He is faithful. Joy came in the morning. His strength proves. Nothing is impossible in Christ.
I was blessed with students' stories. Stories of abuse turned to forgiveness, healing, and new families. Stories of addictions ended, chains severed, self-harming behaviors killed forever. Grace WINS. I wasn't prepared for the wave of VICTORY.
The most beautiful thing happened: students caught the vision of welcoming their friends into the Kingdom. These teenagers embraced the mission so fully. They recognized Heaven intercepting earth. They now desire to bring Heaven into their schools, Heaven into their families. Inviting the broken to be healed. Inviting the lonely into families.
Oh, the Savior's love is so sweet.
I can still picture the crowd in worship. Hands raised to the Father, or stretched out to their brothers and sisters nearby. Dancing, singing, weeping praise. Our occupation in eternity: praising our God. (Revelations 4)
"I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation." -Psalm 40: 9-10 NAS
Behold, Kitsap. There's a troop of soldiers prepared to do battle for the Kingdom. They will pray over their classmates. They will change their families with forgiveness. They will tear down barriers with grace. They will bring Heaven to their schools. Darkness can't defeat them. They are full of light. They have been made new. They have been made whole. They are sons and daughters of the Most High God. They claim a new identity: FORGIVEN. Death can't stop them. Fear won't hold them back. They're playing for keeps. This is a game-changer. God has captured their hearts. They will never be the same.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
No comments:
Post a Comment