“Difference”
Colossians 1:4–5, “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel” NASB 1995
Four tribes competed head-to-head today in the construction of names, chants, and t-shirts. The uniqueness was on display as the students brainstormed, designed, dyed, sang and rapped competitively in a four-way battle. The teams emerged transformed. No longer named after the first four numbers, each had come up with an original team identity. Camp Areté was broken up into the competing factions of “Courageous Cowboys,” “Noses of Integrity,” “Sophia Sweethearts,” and “Persevering Christians.”
In icebreaker games and in Bible trivia, the tribes continued to demonstrate a constellation of personalities and backgrounds. The artistry of the Maker displayed in the uniqueness of all individuals is a blessing that makes life richer and Glorifies God. Difference is important, difference is good. Even so, we are often tempted to be like others. We want to be accepted by others, and to be a part of a community. Unbelievers are captive to the world and the sin nature, which are the domain of Satan. All people are born with a hole in their heart which most try to fill with the things of the world. Whether it be money, love, fame, or anything else, they make something other than God supreme in their life. This is modern paganism, the elevation of the creature over the Creator, and it can never truly fill that void.
Christians are themselves called to be different. Through the Bible and the Holy Spirit, we are to resist Satan and his deceptions. We are to discipline the body instead of giving into its urges. Rather than be conformed to the image of the world, we strive more and more to be the Image of Christ. Christ should be supreme in our life. To be supreme is to be the greatest and highest. The rocks and the trees recognize God as supreme, how much more should we as His sons and daughters? Christ isn’t just supreme; He is sufficient for all our needs. His position as Creator demands our fear and respect, but He is not all take and no give. Because He made us, He knows our needs better than we know them ourselves, and because He is loving, He grants them to us. As Christians, we have eternal life through Christ’s perfect sinless sacrifice on the cross, and the Holy Spirit provides for our every need.
The sufficiency and supremacy of Christ is what enables us to be different. As Pastor Dave charged us, if we believe and take seriously the Gospel every single day, we will be different from this generation.
Praises
- The light rain did not majorly impact the program for the day.
- Campers and staff are acclimating well to the camp schedule.
Petitions
- Continue to pray for situations back at home that affect camp members.
- That the campers and staff would take adequate precautions through the week to avoid heat-related injuries.
Enjoying all the pictures and blogs – it looks like another wonderful week in God’s word this year! I’m following you and praying that the teaching and the camaraderie will touch the hearts of everyone there!