Let's Rise Up

When it comes to camp in general, most people think of the beds that are basically more like sleeping on a board, the food that more resembles plastic or cardboard, the ice bath showers, and the incessant snoring of a dozen other people in the bunk house. While this is all a pretty good generalization of the living situation of camp, there are many other aspects of camp that I truly just cannot get enough of. Taking part in a worship service of 800+ young adults, learning and growing in my relationship with Christ through fellowship with my fellow cell group leaders, seeing growth in the members of my cell group and watching them open up....ah, it just never gets old! See, I'm not the type of person that will beat every person on the street with a Bible trying to get them to listen to me share the Gospel with them, but if you give me even five minutes, I seriously become giddy at the opportunity to talk about Jesus. So, stick me in a camp and give me thirteen young adults and tell me that I can talk about Jesus with them? Oh my goodness, I become ecstatic.

Meet my cell group (minus two!). They were the coolest people, and I legitimately loved hanging out with them, talking with them, and growing in Christ with them. These cool kids inspire me to be better, and push me to grow in my relationship with Christ. If you ever begin to feel discouraged about some of the kids in high school these days, let me tell you, there are some awesome high schoolers out there, and these great people are proof of that!

Throughout the week, we had some great speakers bring messages. One of the speakers we had is the pastor of the church that sponsors my old student ministry back at the University of Arkansas. The other speaker we had is the pastor of a new church here in Conway that I'm excited to attend for the first time this Sunday! They were incredible, and I learned so much from them!

One message that particularly stuck out to me was one about rising up. There were some great examples used about not sitting back and watching others do things, but actually getting out there and doing things yourself. As a Christian, it's not my job to sit on the sidelines and watch other people serve, but instead, it is my job to answer the call that God gives to me. Sometimes it can seem scary, but it's my job to rise up and do it. After leaving camp, this was one thing that I knew I wanted to remember each and everyday, and I'm definitely working on doing that. 

Overall, camp was a great experience, and I'm just hoping that school for the next three years won't keep me from being part of it again! I also want to share a verse that has been on my mind quite a bit lately.

Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Don't forget to lean on God for help with your decisions and future! After all, He knows what's best!

God Bless!

Hannah