God With Us!

Just when you think it is all picture perfect, scheduled out, planned to perfection, and logistically functional... something happens to remind you that there is more going on than meets the eye.

Every summer it is something... the reminder, humbler, challenge and even attack.

Last year it was bat bugs... no seriously. There is a bug that lives on bats and birds called the "bat bug"... they, like bats come out at night and feed on people to make them miserable and itchy. Last year our camp had an infestation of these lovely, (Fall Driven) creatures. It reminded us how we have an Enemy that attacks and how we have a God that works and wills in HIS own ways.

The summer before it was being "short staffed" and someone leaving because they were more concerned about their personal happiness than serving how God had asked them.

The summer before that it was community discord and a lack of unity.

The summer before that... it goes on and on.

This summer it is that someone is being taken from us, unable to serve how they want to... We've had 2 staff, to date, that have planned on being at CBX unable to come or needing to leave... and for VERY good reason. But, still being taken from us.

It is easy to point the finger at our Enemy. I have NO DOUBT he is behind it in some way or another! If our God is one who "came to restore", give life and joy and to bless, surely our enemy does the opposite... take, destroy, discourage and degrade.

BUT! I realized last night as we sat down to make a plan of action... how we'd fill the void in our community and our staffing needs that...

God knew this (both situations) were coming... and has already provided in the first, why would He not provide just as abundantly in the second?

God knew we were relying WAY too much on ourselves... He was gently reminding our staff that HE is the Lord of this camp, the Lord of this summer, and the Lord of all circumstances.

God knows what this staff NEEDS to be put in a place of surrender and submission to HIM so that this summer can actually be an amazingly Spirit-filled, God driven, life altering event for our campers and staff... not just an acting out of what ought to happen or should happen so we can "get through it" to the fall.

God sees us, is with us, and is present in details we don't even know of.

God has a solution that is best for EVERYONE involved. I can already see that in order to fill this spot it will require more of everyone, and require more faith and hope and love than we think we have... but God KNOWS we need to have.

It is no mistake that one of God's names is Immanuel... God With Us!

It is no mistake that from the first words of the Bible that God has been lovingly reminding us that, "I am with you..."

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Gen. 28:15

It is no mistake that when we face hard times God reminds us He is with us...

"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD." Jer. 1:8

It is no mistake that Jesus told us over and over and over that He was with us, he would not leave us, and that He would send Someone to dwell IN us...

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:20

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

God is with us!

He knows!

And that's good!

Now to follow HIS lead!