Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Thanksgiving JCC Camp Light 2004
Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ for His marvelous works in Camp Light 2004, sweeping the darkness away of the children and our lives with His light.
God never fails to plant new experiences in our lives as we boldly stand up for Him, if we dare to take just that little step of faith, with Him leading, to break barriers and connect with the lives of many others yearning to hear the Gospel. He grants us the victory in Jesus Christ.
Busy were the days even before the camp itself began. Rushing up powerpoint slides for the worship service, checking through the songs and making amendments, packing up personal stuff and materials to use for the team… A tinge of nervousness to add to all the thrill and excitement. God kept my strength for what was yet to come; He will not fail me nor let me break down in all the hectic frenzy.
How easy is it to serve our God! No experience required, just a willing heart; this He did not reject. The greatest victory was being able to connect with the kids and being a friend to them, just as Jesus took the initiative to be our friend. My heart, once hardened like a stone, was softened once again to be sensitive to other’s needs and to demonstrate care and concern for others.
Another reward was to influence the young lives of these children the way Jesus has influenced mine, and hopefully my joy and many blessings from the Lord may be shared with them. Even at times when it gets frustrating trying to get their attention or when they misbehaved, anger quickly dissipates when I realize that each lesson for them and even myself comes from God. Perhaps it’s that same love that Jesus has for all the little children… for theirs is the inheritance of His kingdom.
Thus in the short 2 and a half day span, seemingly long and tedious, God preserved us and gave us the strength to endure through the physical, emotional and spiritual strain.
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” – Psalm 119:36
Yet at times, it is easy to drift away from the purpose which God has planned for us. But all praise be to God, all glory given to the rightful Owner, for only to Him should we offer the work of our hands. “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Thank God it is His plans that succeed and not mine. And we know God is faithful to the end of the age, He satisfies us and all blessings come from Him. What else should we ask of Him?
It has indeed been more than satisfying to be a servant for His purpose. Such is the delight that causes my heart to leap every moment I savour of His gifts to me, those adorable kids, a wise leader, including all the wonderful people He provided as an encouragement to me. Yes I did make mistakes; these I bear in my heart, the Lord will correct me in my erroneous ways.
The camp may be over for now, but not the harvest. Let’s continue to seek God for opportunities to follow up with the little bundles of joy and bring light to this dark world.
“How can I repay the Lord or all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.” – Psalm 116:12-14
Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ for His marvelous works in Camp Light 2004, sweeping the darkness away of the children and our lives with His light.
God never fails to plant new experiences in our lives as we boldly stand up for Him, if we dare to take just that little step of faith, with Him leading, to break barriers and connect with the lives of many others yearning to hear the Gospel. He grants us the victory in Jesus Christ.
Busy were the days even before the camp itself began. Rushing up powerpoint slides for the worship service, checking through the songs and making amendments, packing up personal stuff and materials to use for the team… A tinge of nervousness to add to all the thrill and excitement. God kept my strength for what was yet to come; He will not fail me nor let me break down in all the hectic frenzy.
How easy is it to serve our God! No experience required, just a willing heart; this He did not reject. The greatest victory was being able to connect with the kids and being a friend to them, just as Jesus took the initiative to be our friend. My heart, once hardened like a stone, was softened once again to be sensitive to other’s needs and to demonstrate care and concern for others.
Another reward was to influence the young lives of these children the way Jesus has influenced mine, and hopefully my joy and many blessings from the Lord may be shared with them. Even at times when it gets frustrating trying to get their attention or when they misbehaved, anger quickly dissipates when I realize that each lesson for them and even myself comes from God. Perhaps it’s that same love that Jesus has for all the little children… for theirs is the inheritance of His kingdom.
Thus in the short 2 and a half day span, seemingly long and tedious, God preserved us and gave us the strength to endure through the physical, emotional and spiritual strain.
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” – Psalm 119:36
Yet at times, it is easy to drift away from the purpose which God has planned for us. But all praise be to God, all glory given to the rightful Owner, for only to Him should we offer the work of our hands. “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Thank God it is His plans that succeed and not mine. And we know God is faithful to the end of the age, He satisfies us and all blessings come from Him. What else should we ask of Him?
It has indeed been more than satisfying to be a servant for His purpose. Such is the delight that causes my heart to leap every moment I savour of His gifts to me, those adorable kids, a wise leader, including all the wonderful people He provided as an encouragement to me. Yes I did make mistakes; these I bear in my heart, the Lord will correct me in my erroneous ways.
The camp may be over for now, but not the harvest. Let’s continue to seek God for opportunities to follow up with the little bundles of joy and bring light to this dark world.
“How can I repay the Lord or all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.” – Psalm 116:12-14
