Clay in the Hands

In a few minutes I will get behind the wheel of our people mover and make the 4 1/2 hour trek to Ruidoso, NM.  We are taking our students to youth camp.  As I am hurrying around to get things done before I leave, I can’t help but think about my days at camp when I was a teen.  We spent our summers going to two or three camps normally.  Most of them were at Paisano Baptist Encampment between Marfa and Alpine.

 I have many, many fond memories of camp.  I made new friends at camp.  I strengthened existing relationships at camp.  I sang with friends at talent shows at camp.  But the thing that stands out most in my mind about camps was the spiritual “high” I always came away with.  In fact, I surrendered to full-time vocational ministry at camp.

But without fail, the spiritual high only lasted a few weeks once I returned home.  Now one might be tempted to think, “Then what is the point?”  The point of having these experiences is extremely important.  I may not have grown very wise in my 43 years but one thing I have noticed about life is the constant ebb and flow.  Some days are better than others.  We need the times when we feel close to God to help us through the times we don’t.  But more importantly, the realization that the “high” slipped away with time also helped me realize that my spiritual walk is so much more than a feeling it is a commitment to a growing relationship.

So look for those spiritual high’s – that’s great, but realize that it is in the consistent day to day that real relationship is formed.  Stay strong!