Today is my last full day at home before summer camp starts once again. It's so surreal to think that an entire year has passed since last summer of ministry and I'm beginning another. Adults have always told me that the older you get the faster time goes. Now, being an adult, I understand what they were talking about. Things are in a constant state of motion, and being myself, I live in only 2 speeds; high speed, and stop. I live at an intense pace, until I crash and burn for a few days. It's just how I live. But now that summer is rolling around again, I actually don't feel like I'm in that state of intensity like I usually am. I think a lot of it has to due with the fact that this is my fifth summer in camping ministries and my second on summer leadership team. Not that I know everything and have it all figured out, by far that is not the case, but there are certain routine things that aren't as big of a deal now. Like packing for the summer, used to take me a whole week to figure out everything. I now have a system of how to pack and get things ready, in which this year, it only took me a day and a half. So in some areas, it would be really easy for me to walk into this summer comfortable. But of course, God wouldn't allow that.
I have had a great peace going through this last week at home. I've had great times with friends, family, and the Lord as I prepare to serve. But deep down, I have this heart feeling that this summer will test me beyond my wildest dreams. Although my flesh would like to remain comfortable and not experience the imminent pain of refiners fire, and stretching, I know it's for my best and future betterment. I have no clue what this summer will bring, but I know that this year has been a constant reminder of God's faithfulness and presence in my life. If I could pick out theme for my year, faithfulness would definitely be the one that God has brought into my life. He's been challenging me to trust his faithfulness, and he's been constantly showing me his faithfulness. Through bringing some best friends into my life that refine me, and bring me so much joy, to placing me through internal trials that make me realize just how messed up I am. God hasn't left my side, he's remained faithful to me. And I anticipate that's exactly what will happen throughout the course of this summer.
I'm going to try to post after every week the over-arching theme and thought from the week, but weekends are often busy and filled with laundry, sleep, and hanging with friends and family. I really desire to grow this summer, and learn to trust more fully, to become more selfless, to learn to listen better, to lead more effectively and confidently, and most of all to love God more and love others more.
Our summer theme, and I believe our entire lives as followers of Christ come down to those two things. Loving God above all else, and loving others more than ourselves. If we are living out that, everything else will fall into place. So here we go, I'm drawing a deep breath and taking the plunge into summer camp 2011.
