About 80 of us circle up in our green shirts and khaki pants. We are exhausted from the week before, but there is an energy that can’t really be described. We pray to the Father for these campers waiting behind the closed gate. We thank Him for the opportunity to minister to them this week. Then we clump up to chant “Week 2! Go Hard!” Our fearless leader puts us in lines. The moment is almost here. We scream that our God is faithful. He is strong. He is capable. Then as if invisible chains have been lifted off of us, we break free from the lines and sprint across the field to open the gate and let the campers inside. We are exhausted. It is unbelievably hot. But it doesn’t matter. We are running for the Father. We are racing the evil one to the hearts of these campers.
A week at camp is hard. We put the needs of the campers first every second of every day. I have to remember to die to myself over and over again. It does not matter that I am sweating. It does not matter that I am teaching an activity class for what seems like the millionth time that day. It does not matter that my 5th graders are being disobedient once again. The only thing that matters is that I am fighting for the Father.
When I think about how He is using me to help transform the lives of so many elementary school campers, I really start to cry. How incredible is it that the Creator of the Universe is using me? He is doing a good work through me.
But there are days I do not feel incredible. I let the wants of my flesh overcome me and shift my focus away from the work of the Father. I let myself forget that we are constantly in a spiritual war. I turn my eyes from being completely set on the Father.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8: 5-6
So I am asking for prayer for Week 3 of camp. I want my mind to be continually set on the Spirit, on the Father. I want every minute of my life this week to be about Him, to be in accordance with His will. I want to run hard, jump high, and fearlessly proclaim the Gospel to these campers. No matter how I am physically feeling. I am ready for this challenge.
