Samuel is sent to anoint the next king from Jesse's lot of sons
God instructs him to choose David...the youngest son, the small Shepherd boy
David is sent to slay a giant with a mere pile of stones in his hand
The smallest of stones and David's faith in God is exactly what it took to take a giant down
When David has the opportunity to eliminate Saul
David chooses grace, he lays his struggles in God's hands
As the staff arrives for a week of staff training we have no idea what we are in for in the coming weeks. We plan worship services and work through Bible studies. We have an outline, something close to a structure - and when the campers arrive it is quickly turned inside out. God has a bigger plan - He knows what each student, each church group needs. He has each conversation, each little moment ordained. He takes each of our plans that derails and does something completely unexpected and beautiful with it.
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As staff members we have the privilege and the blessing of working among students and their youth leaders. We look at the students and see a reflection of what it was like to be in their shoes - to be coming to a place where God's love is abounding, where the hands and feet of a few college students are at work for His service. As a camper it gave me a hope that God would be working in me, to bring me to a place just like those college students were. I praise Him today for His patience with me and His faithfulness. The students are blessings in ways that they may not know. Their willingness to open their hearts, to build a community with the other campers is evidence of God at work.
The youth leaders and other adults that take a week of their time are also a blessing. They lead by example for their students. They know and love their students. They take the time to stop and talk with the staff, to lend a hand where needed. They are a look ahead for the staff at what God is still doing in others' lives.
It is so important that the youth come up with their youth groups because they also go home with them. It isn't possible to take the entire Quest community home at the end of the week, but it is important that they have a transferable community. To plant what has started growing in another location so that it can flourish there.
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Paul gives a beautiful commissioning in his letter to the Phillipians. A dear friend and co-worker from last summer read this to the 2012 summer staff as we departed.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
Phillipians 1:3-11
We are now called beyond this place that God has given us. We are called to His service in other places of our life. We we are called into other communities, to be the light that was nurtured here at Green Lake. We can go forth knowing that we are loved by the people that were gathered here this summer. We can go forth knowing that we are loved and longed for by a mighty and compassionate God.
~SP
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