Hello everyone! So sorry it's been so long… but I've been watching The Lord ROCK lives of high school and junior high students over the past couple weeks at camp. It has been absolutely incredible. I've learned so much about God over the past week watching students get out of their comfort zone, get before the throne of God and lose themselves. I remember being in high school, where I felt like I had to measure up to everyone else. There is so much pressure, so much to live up to, and I was constantly checking to make sure I wasn't falling behind. But camp, a place where you take normal high school kids out of their pressure, away from distractions and show them Jesus up close. WOW!
The whole week I was reminded about how faithful God is. The Lord loves His people, every single one of His precious creations. He longs for us to see His heart up close- and that's exactly what we got to see at camp. The Lord delights in fun- silly skits, goofy songs, dance parties, relay races, and everything fun. He also invites us into the throne room to worship. Being a part of worship with high school and junior high students felt like a glimpse into heaven listening to the angels praising their King. Camp, not a miraculous place, but a glimpse into life unplugged and away from distractions that catapults us straight into the arms of Christ so we can see Him-really up close.
A picture I kept thinking about all week was the story of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22. The king sends out his servants to invite all his friends to attend the wedding banquet of his son- yet they refuse. And so the servants are sent out to gather everyone and anyone to fill the table- regardless of how good or bad they are. As I served with the staff at camp, I got to watch the servants of Christ gathering students to sit at the table of our king. It was an incredible picture, like a table that went on forever and there was always an open seat for someone else to come and join. I kept marveling that these students were dinning with their king, and praying for their eyes to be opened to who's table they were eating at and who they were eating with. Though the rest of the parable breaks my heart, because there is a chance that those who are invited don't come, and some who come unprepared are thrown out, there is still an incredible calling on my life to be the servant who seeks out more guests for the table. There is always more room!
As I think about next year I get more excited to seek out more guests to dine at the banquet table of my king. I'm so thankful for the high school and junior high students who had eyes opened to the glory of God and lives that were changed. A young generation has the power to change this world and reach more people with God's mercy and love. I'm so excited to be a part of that kind of generation. I'm already praying for the hearts of people I will encounter over this next year, that I might be able to invite them to the table and watch their eyes be opened to the glory of the King they may dine with. God is inviting us all, regardless of how we measure up good or bad. May we learn to open our eyes and look up from our feast to see the glory of the One who choose to dine with us. And may He change our lives forever!
