My boys just returned from
church camp on Friday. They joined
together with about 250 other teens from all across the state of Indiana
The services were a time
where teens and adult leaders could focus more on growing in their relationship
with God. There was a guest speaker that
shared each night and an extended time of worship. For those who don’t know what I mean by
worship time… it’s like a really good concert that everyone gets into, but its
all for God.
As the evangelist shared each
night lives were changed in the altars. People
were healed, broken in God’s presence, and set free from everything
imaginable. God became real… up close
and personal. The intensity of hunger for
more of God grew each night as the week went on. The teens pursued God with all of their
hearts in surrender. It was amazing!
It may sound like I was
there, but I wasn’t… not this year!! But,
I remember. I didn’t have the chance
to go to camps like this when I was a teen.
I wish I would have had the opportunity.
It would have transformed my life early on.
I remember the “camp experience”
because I was there… as an adult that is. My husband and I were in full-time youth
ministry for 15+ years. As a result, I
have been to roughly 12 life-changing camps as an adult. I went as a leader to serve, but in the
process of serving… God rocked my world!
Never fail… every camp I went to I came home changed!!!
I was changed for the better…
God molded me and shaped me, healed my broken heart, and filled me with His
presence. He used me to encourage and
pray for others. He gave me visions and
dreams, filled me with boldness, and grew me deeper in my relationship with Him.
No matter how old I was or
how young the teens were, God rocked our world with equal
intensity. I think we were able to focus
more on God, because we left the distractions at home. It’s a lot easier to connect with God on a
deeper level when nothing is holding you back or tying you down. Oh, how I miss those camp days. I loved it!
I half wished I could have gone
to camp with my boys this year as a leader.
It would have been awesome to witness my own baby boys experiencing all
the things we helped our teens experience as youth pastors. I remember those life-changing, world
altering moments. They bring such a
powerful transformation to the heart leaving the life radically changed! So many amazing memories are rolling through
my mind now of lives changes as a result of a week at youth camp.
I cannot imagine me as
a teen camper. I was not your typical
teenager. I was quiet, shy, and almost
unnoticeable in a room. I didn’t have a
lot of friends because I would have to talk to them and that wasn’t my strong
suit. I preferred small groups over the
crowd and quiet over the noise. I lived
in the shadows hoping nobody would notice me.
I was insecure, nervous, and
full of fear. Many gave up on reaching
out to me, because I didn’t really respond in way they would notice. But what they didn’t know was that God was
actually doing a lot in me on the inside.
I took the long route when it
came to growing in God. I guess I was
hesitant… not skeptical, but cautious. I
didn’t know if I wanted to relinquish complete control of my life to God. I was a “control freak” in a quiet way. I didn’t know how to be any other way. It was scary for me to think about what God
might do if I completely surrendered all areas of my life to Him.
It started with a trickle of
God’s presence and then it grew to a downpour.
I couldn’t get enough. I was probably about 15 years old when my
interest was peaked. I went to a large
high school. There were close to 500
students in my graduating class. In most
of my classes at school I didn’t talk to anyone unless the teacher called on
me. I preferred just watching and listening.
My family and I went to
church, but only on Sundays. I watched the youth across the room from where I
sat. They seemed happy, maybe even a tad
bit excited about everything. I
didn’t understand why. They raised their
hands and worshiped God with passion during the music time at church. Then during the preaching they listened
intently, taking notes. I watched them
at school to see if they changed. You
know… acted one way at church and one way at school, but they didn’t.
Two particular students stood
out to me from within the group. They
were on fire for God! They ran ahead
paving the way for others to follow their radical example for God. They worshiped more, prayed more, loved
people more, and lived it out for all to see.
They were different! God’s
presence radiated from them. They glowed
of God not just when everything seemed to go their way, but also when they
struggled. I watched to make sure. They had experienced the real deal with God
and I wanted it too!!!
I was drawn to the reality of
God in them. I longed for that kind of
relationship with God… that kind of joy.
I wanted to shine for God too! I
had to find a way to get to that youth group.
That had to be where all this life-changing stuff was happening. I was sure of it! I was too shy to just go alone, so I set out
to find someone to invite me.
I found my opportune moment
to get myself invited while I was in the girls’ restroom at school. I saw a girl in there that I had seen at the
church across the room. I didn’t talk to
a lot of people, but I felt comfortable talking to her. I said “hi” when I saw her and asked her if
she went to the same church I did. I
knew she did, but since I was invisible she probably didn’t realize I went
there too. She asked if I went on
Wednesdays and I said no. She
immediately invited me. Woohoo… it worked! Perfect!
I was so excited in my quiet way.
When the day finally arrived
I was a mixture of excited and nervous all together. My parents dropped me off at the appointed
time and the parking lot was swarming with teens. I looked around frantically for my new best
friend… there she was! She dragged me
around and introduced me to everyone.
Way too much talking for me, but secretly I loved it! Everyone was so friendly! I was overwhelmed.
When the service started I
was surprised to see teens leading the music and helping in various parts of
the service. The youth pastor shared a powerful
message inspiring the teens in their walk with God and followed it by an altar
call… a chance to apply what was shared to your heart.
Many came up front to pray
while others turned around in their chairs kneeling and praying quietly. The presence of God could be felt strongly. I watched quietly as God moved upon the
hearts of my classmates. They cried,
hugged one another, and laughed together.
It amazed me. I had never seen
anything like this before.
Almost immediately I became a
regular at the youth group. Slowly God
began to work in my heart. The more I
applied the messages I heard at youth group, the more I grew in God. As a result, I started praying each day,
reading my Bible, and telling people about God. Slowly I began stepping out of my shy comfort
zone. I started doing new things (for
me) like talking to people on my own.
Little by little God began to transform my life. Some where during this time, I recommitted my
life to God and became serious about following through with my decision.
A couple years of youth group
led to more church involvement, graduation from high school, and eventually Bible College Bible College
It seems fitting that it was
there, in Bible College
I am so radically different today
than when I was a teenager. I’m SO different that old friends from school wouldn’t even recognize me. God has done some amazing things in me!
Would you believe God has
allowed me to preach in churches, teach a camp full of girls on purity, lead a
bunch of women’s groups, and speak at some women’s conferences? I am even writing a book. I am shocked at God’s handiwork in my
life! I am not that same shy girl from
high school anymore. God has brought
about a life change in me.
It is that same kind of life
change that I long for my boys to experience.
God, I pray that they would become who you created them to be. Release them to run after you, stir up a
hunger within them for more, and help them to never be satisfied with anything
else. May their lives be forever changed
by your handiwork God.
P.S.
God, would you continue to
change me too to become more like You?
May I never stop chasing after you and hungering for more. You’ve done so much in me so far, I can’t
wait to see what else you have in store.
I love this adventure you have me on.
It is amazing! As I continue to chase
after you, may I never be the same!
2
Corinthians 5:17 says…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(NKJV)
I experienced new life in
God. I became a new creation. If you haven’t experienced this for yourself,
you can. Message me and I can give you
more details. God is the real deal
friend. It’s time for a life change!
Living to leave a legacy,
Julie
