Reflections on Camp Electric

I just spend a wonderful week with some of the brightest and gifted Christian teens in this country.  They came from all over and a few even from other countries.  As I listened to their stories, their concerns, their dreams, I am amazed how God calls these children at a very young age to lay everything down and to follow Jesus.  Wherever we go or are at, there are these biting at the bit young people who want to do something significant for Christ.

So here are a few things to ponder:

1.  Jesus called twelve disciples and most of them were probably teenagers.  Rabbis took teens and discipled them or terms we might use today are terms like coach them or mentor them.  I spent a week mentoring fifteen of these teens personally and striving to speak blessing, life, and pray for God to transform these young people into an amazing force to change this world into a better place.

2.  Where ever you see God at work, join with God there.  Don't be passive about faith but act on it and take radical steps towards places and people where you see the work of the Holy Spirit happening.  Don't sit on the sidelines or wonder why nothing is happening with you, join in where the Spirit's action is going on.

3.  If Israel name means "God wrestlers" then you too will have to wrestle with God.  God is big enough to handle your questions, disappointments, anger, and hidden sins.  Wrestle with God for truth and integrity and a life of peace and joy in a world of chaos and strife.

4.  God is bigger than religion but God still uses religion.  There is intense spiritual warfare and battles being fought among religions today.  There are even internal battles being fought within local churches so be battle ready.  Somebody said, "The great threat to the church today is not that people are spiritual but not religious but they are religious but not spiritual."

5.  In the midst of pain and struggles, may God's grace and power see you through to the end.  Nobody likes dark places or intense struggles or betrayals from people you thought were your friends.  But sometimes we need to remind ourselves at times, especially during those times which are the most difficult, that "where the battle rages the most is where God is often most at work."