Stretched Beyond My Limit
This was my 7th summer at Camp Daniel. Each summer is more amazing than the next. Camp is jam-packed with lessons that I think about and process throughout the year. Camp is the one place that I experience the most spiritual growth. I don't know why I'm surprised, you think I would catch on by now.
The funny thing is, sometimes I come into this thinking that I am a pro. I have been doing this for many years and I think that I have learned all of the lessons or know how to handle a situation. Silly me. Don't ever go into a situation thinking the way that I did. God will quickly put you back in your place.
During the last week of camp, God taught me a BIG lesson. We have had quite a busy summer. Before camp even started, we were busy building on the Camp Daniel grounds and getting ready for camp. Many of our staff also spent 3 weeks serving in Africa. All of it was amazing, but we went into camp with less than 100% energy. By the last week of camp, I was exhausted in every possible way. I was even counting down the last few days, only because I was so tired.
There was a hard camper there that week. Her counselor needed a break and Tony asked me to take care of her for the night. I was not happy about it. I didn't want to do it. I knew that she would need full care and attention, and I had nothing to give her. I also knew that if I said no, Tony would ask someone else who was just as tired as I was. I said yes and got my stuff ready.
We ate dinner together and then we were off to chapel. We started singing songs about giving everything to God and letting him fill you. I was convicted, and I started crying. The speaker talked about being broken and hurting. He said that when we lay it all at the feet of Jesus, he will fill us, and give us what we need. He will heal us. He said that no matter how hard it gets, we cannot give up. When we feel worn out, and we have nothing left to give, God will give you the strength to keep going. God was speaking directly to me that night. Something changed inside of me that night. I laid my broken, empty vessel at his feet, and he filled it to overflowing. He gave me supernatural energy and patience to take care of this lady. I was burned out, and when I stopped trying to do things my own way, he gave me the strength to do it. It was the greatest lesson I learned all summer. God continues to stretch me beyond my limit and I am thankful. God breaks through to my selfish core, and helps me to leave a layer behind.
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