From Summer to Fall

Summer is over, and the fall has begun. It has already started to cool down over on the south west side of Michigan. This summer really flew by, with a quickness I have never seen before. It seems not too long ago we were prepping and planning for the summer to start, and now it has sailed right by. This past summer I had the opportunity to be the Aquatic Director here at camp. I got to oversee all the aquatic activities at the lake and the pool, as well as oversee the lifeguards that were on staff. This role was definitely something that excited me, but it also presented it’s own challenges.  It was a summer of firsts for me: I made my first 911 call, I made my first water rescue, I got to be the boss for the first time, and many other things. I was stretched and strengthened throughout this whole experience. God really taught me what it means to live outside of myself. I learned to see the needs of others, and put myself on the back burner. It was no coincidence that the topic we learned about before summer was humility. It was something that was referred back to, and experienced in the many weeks that we call summer.  Depending on God daily for the strength, energy, wisdom, and alertness I needed to do my job was not only necessary but brought me joy. To know that there is God that loves me, and has my needs, and my best interests in mind, was a breath of fresh air. When I was on my last leg, and fresh out of energy, God gave me the strength to move on. He reminded me that I am not here doing what I am doing for me, but for the furthering of the kingdom of God. I found it an awesome opportunity to do the job of lifeguarding this summer. I not only got to save lives in the water, but also got to be apart of a much bigger life rescue. We are in the business of saving souls, for the glory of Jesus Christ.  

                  It is September now, and that means the beginning of year number two in the Outfitters program. What does that mean? I am not completely sure. God has some great and challenging things planned for my future. Where will God move, where will he take me?  I have already been challenged so much in the first month getting back into the swing of things. I have been first of all challenged to experience, and show what the love of God really is. God really pierced my heart with the passage of 1 Corinthians 13. This passage goes into the importance of love in our lives, and what love really is.  I don’t think I will ever be able to grasp the vastness of the love of God, but if I am able to grab hold of even a small bit, then I can share that love with the world.  It is what we are called to do as disciples of Christ.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." –John 13:34-35

I have also been learning to expect the unexpected. We never know what tomorrow will hold. It is so easy for me to get caught up in thinking and worrying about what will happen in the future. Trapping myself in the “what-if’s” and the uncertainty, and creating a lot of anxiety for myself.  To trust the Lord with everything is to die to self. It is a concept for me to grasp, and something that God is continually teaching me.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matt. 6:33-34

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7                  

When thoughts run rampant.

            I think too much. This is what I am beginning to learn about myself. I spend a good part of my days and weeks thinking about many different things. Even in times of silence and solitude, my mind wanders all over. Although my thoughts cover a variety of topics, I find myself dwelling a lot on the uncertainty of the future. What’s my next step? Where are you in the midst of all this? So many times I acknowledge that God has a plan for me. He knows where my next step is., but I find myself wanting more and more to be on the inside of the plan. I want to know where to go next.  “God, I know you have an awesome plan for my life, but please, let me know what that is!”

            When life gets hard, and struggles come along, are the times I find myself the most in the dark when it comes to God’s plan. When life is good, and he problems are minimal it is easy for me to trust and be confident in God’s plan because everything is going well. When the bumps come along, that’s when I begin to wonder what God is doing. Don’t get me wrong, I know that he is working for my good, but it is definitely more on the forefront of my mind in the hard times.

            Through all my worry, anxiety, and thinking I get myself lost in a labyrinth of ‘what if’s’ and mixed emotions. Then God always reminds me of what is written in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” All I need to do is to keep on loving God, and He will work things together for my good. I can rest in this truth, and have confidence that my God is working up, or has worked up something amazing for my life. It is hard, and a struggle for me to not know what that means, but you know, it’s just more opportunity for me to trust in God!

Psalm 46

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose sreams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.”