Yeah, life moves forward. Quickly.
Today I went to the new library for the first time since I've been home. I walked in and felt this feeling of being completely overwhelmed and unsure where to even begin in the process of putting this new library together. I took a deep breath. I kept myself from hyperventilating. Thank goodness for Tricia, who is overseeing this project. She has a very calming, take it one step at a time approach that I appreciate.
So now there is a plan. Thank goodness. And the overwhelming panic that had tried to overtake me from before isn't there. And now I can throw myself into this project. Thank goodness for that, too. I am going kinda batty trying to occupy my time and my mind since I got back from camp.
And that moved on, too. The bittersweet part of the whole camp thing is the people that you meet. For six weeks they become close like family. They swear that they will keep in touch. You make a similar promise to them. And then it is done. They move on. You move on. The communication is halted. And unlike most of them, I am from a generation that didn't have to depend on technology to keep in touch. Believe it or not, I was from the generation before the internet...and cell phones (I see that look of shock). And the technology that I use to try and stay in touch feels so foreign and impersonal. We are the most connected we have ever been because of Facebook and texting, but the most lonely we have ever been.
For me, nothing beats a face to face conversation. However, when not everyone you know lives in the same state you do, that is hard. Then I have to rely on modes of communication that I could really be okay without just to keep in touch with people who I may or may not still be communicating with in a month...six months...a year. It helps to have those options, but it is a poor substitute for actual in person, human interaction.
At least when you are with someone, you can hear the inflection in their voice and you can tell what they mean when they say something by their facial expressions and their tone. You lose that with Facebook and snapchat and texting. You write out a sentence, and to you it is taken one way but to someone else it is taken completely different. It takes the personal out of communication.
I guess I can't keep up with these kids. Believe me, I am trying but not successfully. Maybe, because of the generation I grew up in, there is a barrier that keeps me from effectively communicating with them. It's kind of maddening. And maybe that's for the better. One less thing to stress out about.
And if we were honest, if you were a teenager would you want to communicate with a 30-something year old person? I mean, it's cool while you are at camp, but maybe weird and creepy in the real world. Maybe I need to stop trying so hard to be the cool kid. I need to be the adult and pray for them.
Prayer. An extremely effective mode of communication. A direct line to the One who knows our hearts, our thoughts, our hurts, our struggles, and our joys. A beautiful relationship that stems from our God who loves us and love that pours out from hearts that long to know Him intimately.
What a beautiful way to communicate. What a beautiful Savior to communicate with. I don't need to Facebook Him, snapchat Him or text Him and wait for a response. He hears me each time I call out to Him, or cry out to Him. And He is there. Time nor distance separates me from the love of my Father or from His presence. He is steady and He longs for me to interact with Him daily.
I wonder what would happen if we talked to God as frequently as we sent a text? A snapchat? A Facebook message? What would our walk with Him be like if we communicated with Him as freely?
I think it would blow our minds.
So, dear camp friends, I think my energy is better spent in prayer for you. Because God is God and we are family in Christ, we will see each other again. I will make every effort to try and stay connected. I get to go to the cities on Thursday and see some of you, and I greatly look forward to having that time to reconnect face to face. However, if you can't get a hold of me via the endless modes of communication that are out there, don't be offended. Know that I am praying for you. Feel free to let me know what to pray about for you. And I am always here if you need someone to talk to, but not over Facebook. Not through a ten second snapchat. And not via text. Skype I can handle. At least I can see you and talk with you that way. But the most important conversations are the ones where you are on your knees and praying. Don't let the pull of technology take your heart away from God. Don't let that replace hanging out with your friends in person. Don't let that become an idol in your life that takes God's place.
My prayer for you all is that this summer changed you. That you collided in such a tangible way with God that you will never be the same. I pray that as you travel this path called life, that you would allow God to lead you. Follow His path, let His Word be a lamp that guides your steps and let the Truth be the firm foundation that you stand on. Cast your cares, worries, anxieties, heartaches, and fears onto Him, because He is a Father who cares for you and will never let you down. He will not abandon you.
Don't let hurt and hard feelings come between you. Instead, address the problem. Make things right, because goodness knows this life is too short to let things fester or to live with the regret of never offering an apology or accepting one. Allow God to be the center and focus of each relationship, especially the ones right now that are blooming into more than just friendship. Be careful and proceed with God's guidance. You are all so young yet. Let God be the love of your life, and when He is ready, He will bring that right person to you. And not just because you are lonely or because they are cute. He will join you together to bring Him honor and glory above all things. Be patient. Let God grow love in your heart. Don't let the world dictate that, because the world's idea of love and God's idea of love are two completely different things. Let Him write your love story. I guarantee it will be worth it.
My greatest prayer for you is that you KNOW God- intimately, furiously, recklessly. That you would not be ashamed to proclaim His Name in all things that you do. That in everything, God would be honored. If you are going off to college, be a student that honors God in all things. If you are in high school, do everything to the best of your ability for an audience of One. If you are getting into the workforce, give your work days and everything you have as an offering to Him. Let the relationship you have with Jesus be the most important relationship in your life. Don't be afraid of what others say, and don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Be the beacon of light that a world in darkness needs to see. Set yourself so on fire that those around you have no choice but to watch you burn for Him.
Step into the identity God has already created for you. And then hang on for the greatest adventure of your life.
I love you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ. You are all very near to my heart. I cannot wait to hear how God has moved in your lives and to see what He does with each and every one of you. Just know that I will be cheering you on from the sidelines. God is so proud of you and I am, too.
God bless and take care, family.
Amen.
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