Stand

This past week I encountered tears, sweat, screams, fits, dancing, laughs, and the Holy Spirit. As campers and missionaries alike danced in a circle, holding hands and smiling their biggest smiles, I saw a glimpse of the Holy Spirit in between the linked hands and in the smiles of those serving the wonderful kids that come to Camp Barnabas to experience the “impossible” in a world where they are looked down on, pushed aside, and told “no”.

Reflecting on the last tiring week, Jesus reminded me that He guides us to things he knows we will love, things that will be so much better than the path we are on now. He reminded me that His plan is far better for me than the plan I have set for myself. So often I feel Jesus tries to bring us on a detour, taking us down paths He knows will bring us fulfillment and joy, we complain and pout and sometimes throw a fit and fall to the ground. My camper this past week wanted to just give up. I knew that the activities and parties that were just ahead were going to bring my camper so much joy! Yet he didn’t see that, he didn’t want change to happen in his already strange day. So I would continue to guide him to the next fun thing, reminding him that what’s next will be far better than what was.

Jesus still stands there, holding out His hand to me, saying

“let’s go, I promise, this is going to be the greatest adventure of your life.”

I was reminded of how I act so often towards Jesus. All He wants is what’s best for me. He wants me to encounter the best. What a sweet reminder for all of us, we cannot be the people who stay on the ground, refusing to move. We must be the ones to look up through our teary eyes to the One standing before us, with His arms stretched wide and take hold of His hand.