May the mumbling commence!
Welcome to day one at Junior Camp (5th and 6th graders) at Camp Mount Hermon! Today is a day that begins with preparations for the arrival of about twenty or so bright and shining faces. We will welcome God in a new way when the children arrive. May the children come to Jesus. It is his command.
Let us hold fast to our roles as adult leaders and guides. Paul writes about a pattern for this holding fast in the second chapter of First Thessalonians. Read it below (from the NIV):
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (Verses 6b-12)
We are called to be gentle like a mother with her children. We are called to remember that when we serve children we give them not only the gospel but also ourselves. We are called to labor night and day.
We are also called to be holy, righteous and blameless among the children. We are called to deal with them as a father with his children – encouraging, comforting and urging them to live lives worthy of God. Please note that nowhere in this list is the word punishing or persecuting.
It is hard work. It is God’s work – among us and through us. Let us support one another as we seek to help the children connect to God in a special way at camp.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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