Week 5: Relying on the ultimate Counselor

After Challenge I was pretty tired, and didn't feel physically or mentally prepared to take care of six 5th and 6th grade girls for a week. Sunday night I prayed, "God, I can't do this. Grant me your strength, grace, and wisdom. Work through me this week. It's all you. I'm the glove and you're the hand." The very next day I saw His response to my request. He faithfully sustained me Monday and the entire week. Even with little sleep God enabled me to be alert, patient, and fun for my campers. For Himself. When we need help with something we're doing for God, He ALWAYS comes through. That's a cool thing about living for Him. If we're doing our own thing, disregarding what God wants, He might not give us what we ask for. But if we're obeying Him and acting according to His will, of course He will empower us!

This week was difficult because my campers disagreed and argued with each other a lot, and with Rachel and me. My three previous groups of campers were amazingly well-behaved, so it was more trying for me to have that disunity last week. However, I did enjoy each of the girls for different reasons, and we did have lots of fun. I am so thankful God put me with them because it caused me to rely more on Him. I trust He will continue to work in their hearts, reminding them of all He taught them this week about Himself and His longing for them to engage in a relationship with Him.

God is the ultimate Counselor because He is gracious, strong, patient, super fun, always prepared, wise, loving, and so much more. He cares genuinely for us, His campers. He gets us where we need to go. He knows what's going on. He sacrifices Himself for us even when we argue or disobey. Thank you, God, for Your perfect example. Help us to follow You wholeheartedly because that is Your desire for us, and it is the only way we will be fulfilled.

Challenge '08

God did so much in everyone who attended the week-long conference in Salt Lake City. Here are some things that He taught/reminded me are super important:

-Seeing Him more clearly: not so casually because He is SO holy and awesome (as described in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation).

-Reaching out more purposefully to the hurting and lost.
-Sharing Christ with my nonchristian friends.
-Praying as an effective warrior.
-Living passionately for Him so others catch that passion too.

Clap for God.