Since staff training camp at camp, it has been undeniable so see the River of LIFE flow. I am getting what it means to see goodness and not the hardships. I am seeing the Lord’s hand, and not the disappointment of how things “are supposed to go?”. And I am seeing people come ALIVE and not just live for the title or the “heaven points”. It’s brilliant walking with a staff that is getting what it means to BE community, what it means to LOVE, and what it means to serve. Jesus did it, and so can I!!
The greatest feeling for a guy like me is to see others come ALIVE. So often we don’t see it, but there are times when we see it happening right in front of our very own eyes. Time and time again I have young men and women come up to me with questions and ideas about almost everything….life, faith, trust, love, and the list goes on. But this summer I have been blessed to see people take their own steps into freedom and accepting that grace from Christ.
So many young men and women are caught up in the culture, peer pressure, and even the religion of their lives. They are bound by things they can’t control and they don’t realize that they have been accepting their lit in life all this time. They have not been told that they are FREE from sin! They have not been told that they are not responsible for the abuse they have received. They have not been told that they are pure and righteous in God’s sight when they follow Him with all of their heart. So many wounded youth that feel helpless and worthless.
Well friends, I have seen that drastically change this summer. The truth is that I used to be that wounded youngin’. I was finally told that I was FREE!…and I believed it! Now look at the FREEDOOM that follows. That’s the River of LIFE that is flowing from someone who understands that things change when we have Christ in our lives. Our lives transform and change. We ARE new creations, not revamped old ones!
Everyday as I wake up from my bunk, I step outside alongside a community of new creations! I am encouraged by them and I am pushed and stretched by them! It’s truly exciting to see everyone come ALIVE!
