I just got back from my last youth group summer camp as a student and needless to say it was unlike any other. I didn’t have a big emotional breakdown or a heartbreaking revelation, but rather this was full of growth and maturation. There’s two main things God made very prevalent to me.
THE UGLY LIE
After having this idea weigh on my heart for about three weeks I finally spoke it out loud: I am so scared to go on The World Race. I feel so much fear for this upcoming season of my life. I am so scared that while I am in the field I won’t be able to successfully lead anyone to Christ. I am so scared that I will be wasting this next year of life having no fruit to show of it. I am scared of not being able to disciple anyone. I am scared that I will fail God in this next season and He will not find pleasure in me.
THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH
One of my favorite biblical phrases of all time is “but God”. This phrase is relates our bitter sins with the redeeming mercy of God. This phrase relates my fear of failure to God’s promise of peace. I am terrified that I am going to fail in my mission next year, BUT GOD tells me I do not have to worry. BUT GOD tells me He will be with me. BUT GOD tells me my fruit will not fail. I am not qualified to lead anyone to Christ, BUT GOD is qualified. And if Christ is in me, as He is in those who follow Him, He makes me qualified. I have no need to fear displeasing God, because He is already pleased with me. I am His child and He loves me unconditionally. The Holy Spirit lives in me and (within His will) I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
