It has been a couple of months since I decided to write on here. I’ve been writing in other mediums, but nothing has stood out to me lately that felt needing to tell.

That is until last weekend.

I lead a group of high school guys at my church and like many churches, it’s church camp season. I decided to go this year. I planned on being with the guys I lead each week. I planned on bonding with them on a different level because church camps have a way bringing people together.

So I was excited for this opportunity to pour, invest, till the soil, do anything I can to help this next generation lean into Christ more.

Then I got an email from camp. I wouldn’t be with my guys that I’ve known for 5 or so years. I would be with a completely new set of guys from no telling where.

The human side of me was annoyed. I had this idea in my head of the perfect week. And I felt like this camp experience wasn’t going to be as good as I had concocted.

I drove up a few of my guys and talked about team colors for the group events. My guys were green. I was yellow. So even though I wasn’t with my guys during Bible study time I wouldn’t even be on the same team during group battles.

I dropped them off to their room and headed to my area. It wasn’t far, but on the other side of the building. I went to the room with my group of strangers and no one was there. I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do. So I went back to my guys to see them and wait.

A couple of hours later I still didn’t know who I was leading. Every time I went to the room it was empty. Great leader Eric. You don’t even know what your new group looks like while you’re walking around the camp. Maybe it’s them. Or maybe them. Or maybe that kid over there by himself. I was clueless.

Finally I met one of them. We had our worship service and I sat with my church guys because I didn’t know who my new group was. After the service it was time to go meet the new group.

I’m an introvert. Change isn’t easy. But I hoped these 4 days wouldn’t be a complete waste.

I tried to learn names, do a little ice breaker, tried to learn a little about each one. Talked Jesus for just a few minutes and then it was off we go to camp wars. Team Yellow here we come.

I still didn’t know how camp was going to go. But I knew I was there for a reason.

The next day was lots of hang out time with the students. I never went back to my room. I was out with the new bunch of guys in the 90 degree weather doing whatever they wanted. I learned more and more about some of them.

Worship night came. And it was like Heaven came down. I’ve been dealing with some things and it felt like God was right there beside me. I know He is always with me. But I wasn’t trying to see Him like I should. But He opened my eyes. He opened my eyes to the opportunity to pour into a new group of guys.

Jesus never said you can only lead this number of people.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh, our camp was about God being the Good Shepherd. But He calls us to shepherd as well.

That night after worship, walls were down. The guys were opening up. I was opening up. In that moment I could feel God moving more and more.

And yet I was going to be content staying with my normal guys I see each week, but God had another plan.

God’s plans and ways are so much greater and higher than ours. I have a friend who always talks about God’s tapestry. How it looks messy and threads going everywhere on one side of the tapestry. But when you flip it over…a masterpiece of cohesion and beauty.

I could not have envisioned 4 days of camp this life changing. And when I say life changing, I mean for me. Yes, I met a new group of guys that I will keep in contact with, if they continue to text me back, but my eyes were opened to never missing an opportunity.

When life seems like it’s throwing you a curveball

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is a purpose for the curveball.

When life seems like it’s falling apart

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬

It may be a way of God telling you to rest in Him awhile.

When life seems…fill in the blank, it may be God showing you He is near. All you have to do it lean in. Fall in. Jump in. And He will be there. Because He’s never not been there.

When you were crying in your bedroom. He was there.

When you were stressing out in the carpool lane. He was there.

When you were in the waiting room. He was there.

When you were in your prison cell. He was there.

The last day of camp the preacher gave an illustration. He sat on the stage and started cooking an egg for breakfast around a campfire sitting.

Then he started telling the story of Peter how he denied Christ three times before His death. Then the first time Peter sees Christ he wondered what Peter was feeling?

Would Christ be mad? Would He not forgive his lies? Would He accept Him back?

But

“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬ a NIV‬‬

We may feel like God is upset with us. That He wouldn’t want to look at us. That we’ve done so much wrong that a merciful God couldn’t bestow that mercy on us. Yet, despite all of Peter’s flaws Jesus was concerned with him. Concerned enough to cook him breakfast.

No scorn. No condemnation. No should’ve’s.

But come and have breakfast.

When’s the last time you’ve had breakfast with the Maker of the world?

So, yeah, it’s been a long time since I wrote on this blog. But a longer time since I’ve had breakfast with the One who Loves me despite me. And I owe so much of this awakening to my new group of brothers. So thank you to each of you. You don’t have any idea how much I needed this weekend.

Peace