The Proper Attitude when attending Summer Camp
God established for the Israelites many feast days, ordaining that they be kept from generation to generation. The purpose is mainly to have the Israelites remember the graces of the Lord Himself, and to strengthen the relationship between God and Man. God has bestowed bountiful blessings upon Man. He is a most gracious benefactor. But He wishes that those belonging to Him can truly enjoy these blessings, trust in Him contentedly, and respond to His love in kind. Unfortunately, Man will very often overlook God and put his sight upon material things and his thoughts upon the profits of this life. Therefore God had to set up ordinances on different dates to remind us. The annual summer camp of the church is not required by God for us to attend, but it is a wonderful date with God, and a time when we can reorganize our relationship with Him, experience His blessings and memorialize His works.
May all members build up a
proper attitude towards the summer camp as follows:
1.
¡§Not
attending by routine, but eagerly hoping to gain the benefit.¡¨
The soul must be adequately prepared, so that
the spirit will profit from the gathering. If we don¡¦t put much weight on the
camp, nothing will be gained from it.
We should first have the determination of Jacob: ¡§I will not let you go
unless you bless me.¡¨ How steadfast a faith! How ardent a petition! May we all
have such a prayer as well: ¡§If the Lord doesn¡¦t bless us, we will not leave
the venue.¡¨
2.
¡§Not
recuperating or resting, but facing a more solemn struggle.¡¨
Superficially, attending summer camp seems a
peaceful endeavor. It is great to be able to halt the daily grind, throw off
worldly concerns and have a moment of peace and rest. Yet, the revival of the
spirit, confrontation of life, examination of service, reassessment of living
values, and equipping for the spiritual struggle are not achieved through a bit
of rest or temporary isolation from the world. Every time Christ retreated from
the crowd into the desert for a temporary halt from His busy work, it was in
fact to carry out important duties and make preparations for confronting the
ever more grave, ever more difficult conflict, rather than for apparent rest.
In summer camp, we do not just want to see people quietly meditating and
studying. We want to feel the brothers and sisters struggling and contending in
spirit, and the clash of the Holy Spirit and the flesh.
3.
¡§Not
only receiving more of the Lord, but having the Lord receive more of us.¡¨
The highest state of a spiritual life, the
greatest value, is for the Lord to completely take over us. Offering all of
ourselves to the Lord is the most basic response of a Christian to God, and is
also our duty to fulfill and our right to enjoy. Certainly we can reckon what
may be learnt or achieved in camp. Yet there is a more noble aspiration. What
is the will of God on my person? What sins do the Lord want me to eradicate?
What are the things God wants me to abandon? And what facets do the Lord want
to achieve from my person?
4.
¡§Not
just having a peaceful retreat and a calm love for the Lord, but wishing for
fervent emotions and even passionate love to be stoked.¡¨
Nowadays, Christians are too calm and
rational, often regarding the behavior when touched by God¡¦s love to be just a
temporary outburst, a frivolous emotional response. David was the sovereign of
a nation. Yet when he welcomed back the Ark of the Covenant, he vigorously
danced, sang, and made offerings. He did not worry that such conduct would be
despised or criticized as unmannered. Even his wife looked down on his
behavior. But his heart was animated and totally committed towards God.
Sometimes, we should not suppress our feelings for the Lord, but let His love
freely stimulate our heart so that we can cry and open up before Him, or jump
for joy, sing and cheer without restraint.
Brothers and sisters, are you mentally
prepared? Let us take up the duty of bonded and fervent praying. The Lord will
surely grant our supplication. When we are prostrate before Him, may the Lord show
His mighty hand and revive His work and His church.
By: Esther Hung