Well as many of you know, I have been the director of the support staff at the Master’s Inn youth camp this summer. Friday aug. 8th was the last day of summer camp. It was a great summer for me. I was stretched and challenged in many different ways. It has been a week since we wrapped camp up, and I’ve had bittersweet feelings. Summer camp is a blast. It’s non-stop action, excitement, and adventure. I enjoy living in community. But I needed a break. I felt physically, spiritually, and emotionally drained.
After taking a few days off just to relax and read…mostly in my hammock, I once again realize the importance of slowing down and spending time alone with the Lord. More than your daily devotions or occasional prayer times. I’m talking time to reflect, read, and rest. It is extremely easy to get caught up in our routines and progress, and it is so easy to forget how desperate we are without God. D.L. Moody once said, “A great many think because they have been filled once, they are going to be full for all time after; but O, my friends, we are leaky vessels, and have to be kept right under the fountain all the time in order to keep full…Let us keep near Him!” Moody was discussing our continual need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power. We must seek the Holy Spirit daily for joy and peace. We need His blessings and guidance daily. Daily we must ask the Lord to humble us, because selfishness and pride are yearning to run wild in my life and I’m certain in yours as well. We must surrender ourselves daily to the will of the Lord. We must choose each day whether we are going to serve our Lord Jesus Christ or Ourselves.
I hope everyone is getting the point that YOU need the Holy Spirit to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Check out Galatians 5 and really let it soak in!!! We have been called to freedom. And we are called to use that freedom to serve one another in love.
I really just want to challenge everyone to find time to chill out and relax alone with the Lord. Spend an unusual amount of time in prayer and reading. Be very intentional!!!
We all need fresh fire, fresh faith. We need revival in our very souls.
Chris
