Life at Camp

I must admit it.  I went to camp this week as a "gift" to the kids.  I went to camp this week as a gift to the kids' parents.  I went to camp this week out of a sense of duty or obligation.

However, I remain at camp because of the pleasant surprises that each day brings.  The first night, I heard God's voice speak to me during a skit at campfire.  Monday, God came to me in the smiles of our campers and HUGS from so many (including my "way-to-cool" son!).  The week has continued to be filled with small and big "a-ha" moments.  These moments range from the simple pleasures of having Coldstone ice cream from the canteen to hearing the voices of my children belt out the words to the campfire worship songs.   God is here.

I am moved by the energy level that the counselors share through their leadership and songs.  They seem to meet the kids exactly where they are and walk alongside of them as they play, eat, and pray.  It reminds me of my own days at Lutheran Lakeside Camp.  As I crawled into my bed last night before 10:00, I am painfully aware of how much older I am!  However, I am also grateful to have had that gift of time as a counselor, and now the gift of being able to watch other young people energize and excite "my kids."

As I shared time with our high schoolers, I was reminded of the story of Jesus' Transfiguration.  The words of Peter and Paul spoke to me.  I understand why they wanted to build tents and remain on the mountain-top.  It is tempting to want to stay here (although I miss the comfort of my own bed) and just bask in this God-filled place.  Being plugged-in to this place that is so filled with God's presence is a huge blessing and priveledge.  And, it is hard to imagine remaining this energized after leaving here and returning to "normal life."

I am FREE!

On Sunday evening during the campfire worship here at Camp WAPO, the counselors performed a skit.  The skit started with a man and a woman.  The woman pretended to have a cage of wild birds that she had just caught in the field.  When asked what she was going to do with it, the woman said she was going to play with them, poke them with a stick and then eat them for dinner.  The man, clearly horrified, argued that this was a part of God's creation and then proceeded to barter with the woman to buy the birds.  As the cost went up, so did the man's determination to purchase the birds.  His goal, to set them free.

The skit continued.  This time, the cage contained humankind.  And, the devil had decided to keep them in order to play with them.  The same man that freed the birds then became Jesus ultimating bartering his life in exchange for the freedom of human beings.  Jesus' goal, to set ME free.

As I sat surrounded by hundreds of campers and counselors, I was struck by the realization that this freedom is mine.  But, all too often, I imprison myself with the "things" of this world. 
I choose to plug into the t.v.
I choose to waste hours catching up on Facebook postings.
I choose to spend hours cleaning.
I choose to get bogged down by my worries and concerns.
I choose to care about having things and money.
While all of these "things" can be good in moderation, they can and do spiral out of control causing me to turn my attention and devotion to the things of this world.

I find myself thinking that if I just have my kids on the" right track" then I will be free.  Or, if we just had that vacation property, then I will be free.  If the house was just de-cluttered and the kitchen floor finally clean for more than 20 minutes, then I will be free.  Or, if I could just loose 20 pounds, then I would be free.  Once my to-do list is DONE, then I will be free. 
I will be free to devote my time in prayer.
I will be free to read the scriptures like I want.
I will be free to pray.

My freedom came at a cost -a BIG one that has already been paid.  I don't have to DO anything else to obtain the freedom from the "things" of this world.  And, my reality check is that God doesn't need for me to DO anything either.  I can simply BE...and, there is freedom in that.  Freedom from guilt.  Freedom from "to-do" lists.  Freedom from being anything more than His child.

I am FREE!