It's Who Ya Know

They start showing up around 2pm. Some run toward their cabins having just checked in they're excited to have exactly the counsellor they asked for. For some, it's their first time and they are a bit more skeptical...just a lil nervous to meet those they will be spending 24/7 with for then next week. Oblivious to the fact that they will leave a better person than they currently are as they stand in the doorway and choose their bunk.

It's HOT.

It's sticky.

Mosquitos, gnats, spiders, flies, beetles, bees, snakes...

CRITTERS galore!

Some bring buddies, some don't.

Each and every one will have at least one item they can't live without. A keepsake of sorts, a special pillow, a stuffed animal, a photograph.

Everyone will have their sword.

I didn't spend yesterday unpacking my things, setting up my cabin and my bunk, greeting my return campers, making my new campers feel welcomed.

No, I didn't spend months preparing devotionals that pertain to the 'topic' of the week, praying that all I do for the next week will bring at least just one soul closer to my Lord.

For the first time since 1996 I am not spending the entire week engulfed in prayer, laughter, songs of praise...

WHY?

It's who ya know.

Sounds a little contrary, huh? I mean it's Bible camp, right? Why does who you know matter? It's not like a communist community or some kind of dictatorship, is it?

Hmmmmm.

You wouldn't think that's how things work within the church, would ya?

Well guess what??

That's EXACTLY how it works.

Of course it does depend somewhat on the part of the US in which you live.

It would have been more understandable had it been due to the fact that I can't remain in the lives of my campers as closely...or because there REALLY wasn't enough room for another ADULT counsellor...but that is completely bogus.

What's the REAL reason I'm missing out on the one week I look forward to more than any other week of the year? The week where although I am 100% emotionally and quite physically spent by the end?

Seriously?

Someone I know.

That's it, you say?

Well....the someone I know (a grudge holder) is related to another someone who went to high school with the NEW boss' spouse...so in a roundabout way, yes, that's it.

Are we all Christians? Yes, supposedly we are.

Do we all behave as such? I believe we all try to. No one is perfect, so of course we don't succeed all the time, but I'm sure we do our best.

Can you find it in the Bible anywhere that if you offer to give your time to serve God doing something that you absolutely LOVE to do that another person can tell you, "No, I'm sorry you can't do that." ?? I looked and so far I have not been able to find it anywhere.

Well in THAT part of the country, it's all in who you know, who you're related to, who you went to high school with, etc etc etc.

It's sad when you have your excited campers asking you which cabin will be yours this year and you have to tell them,

"I'm sorry, I won't be there this year because they decided to put a teenager in my place, denying me the opportunity to love and serve you this week"...

OK, I didn't really SAY that, but I had to explain that I wouldn't be there :(

I can serve God where I am, and I will.

There is Bible Camp in this part of the country too...and I bet they don't function quite the same way. It matters not which family tree you show up on or who your friends from high school are. If you call yourself a Christian, that means you belong to the family of God and NO ONE can deny you the right to serve Him. Are we worthy? NO, not at all.

Luke 18:9-14 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. 14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

It IS who you know...and I know my Lord, my Savior, my God.

What more could I ask for?

I pray that my sweet young campers have a wonderfully spiritual week. That they draw near to the Lord. I pray that souls may be opened and souls may be saved. I pray that He watch over all those involved this week and that He speak to each one in His own way. I pray all remain safe and well. I pray His great blessings on the efforts this week and that all come away with a more intimate knowledge of our loving and powerful Lord.