I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 CEB
Lately, I’ve been reading and enjoying Nadia Bolz-Weber’s book, Accidental Saints and participating in the church book study. As I was reading chapter 4, a flood of memories came rushing back to me. She was talking about being asked to speak at the Lutheran National Youth Gathering and how unqualified she thought she was, and could not fathom what she had to offer that these young people would be interested in. Not that I have ever been asked to speak at a National Gathering, but God has called me to speak at Senior High Camp at Lazy W; and the same thought ran through my head, what could I possible have to offer.
I remember it vividly because it was a whole week of saying no to God. It was only my second time working camp, the Day Team that I was a part of was on Friday, the last full day of camp. The Theme that year was “Connected.” I kept feeling God nudge me that I needed to speak at campfire on Friday night…I responded with a laugh and “nope, I think you have the wrong person.” The nudge was there all week but with each day got stronger. “No God, I have nothing to say that these kids want to hear!” So Friday morning came and strangely enough I found myself saying to the Leadership Team, ”I would ‘like’ to speak at campfire tonight” and of course they were all for it.
I prefer to have things written down, so when the nerves kick in I still know what I’m saying, but God, true to form made sure that I stayed busy with camper issues all day so I would have no time to be silly enough to write anything down. What I kept hearing God say to me was, “talk what you have experienced, no one knows it better or can tell it better than you.” Oh God there you go again… all you want from me is to trust, trust, trust!
The week began with how we originally connected with God, then how we disconnected and ending with how we reconnected. So Friday night came, very grateful I could not see the camper’s faces staring at me in the light glow of campfire. I stood up and opened my mouth and God took it from there, sharing my experience of connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting with God. Not really a profound story but it reached and resonated with a few young people that heard it. No matter where we are or what situation we might be headed into God is always there, shinning the light on the next step forward, all that is asked of us is to trust.
Even during all of these difficult days of social distancing, of the unknown of when it will all be in the past, there is a true assurance that God is with us, guiding us and filling us with abilities we may not have known were there. Even if we are unsure of ourselves and only think of our limitations, when we trust the One who created and loves us beyond our understanding, then anything and all things are possible.
As it says in Philippians 4:13“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”
Loving God, thank you for your assurance that all things are possible in you. That your love and compassion surround us even when we struggle to say yes. Thank you for walking with us and going before us during these unsure times. Help us to rest in the knowledge that nothing will ever separate us form your love and grace. Amen.
Brenda