God Moments...

Wow, this is the beginning of our eighth week. We only have 4 more weeks to go until we are heading for home. I know its crazy to think about, but it has been a great time so far. By the end of the summer on August 3^rd, we will have seen about 600 youth and most likely around 100 Adult Leaders. When you look at it, it is incredible how the world gets smaller and smaller. A good majority of these people we will never see or speak to again, but knowing that there is someone out there that we may have been instrumental in turning their life around or that we we are able to brighten someone’s day is all that really matters, Many times we may plant a seed that gets nourished along the way and we may never get to see the process of blooming. I have the assurance that God is the master gardener and He will water it and place people in their path to encourage and strengthen these youth and adult leaders. That is why I encourage these youth to talk with their Youth Directors/Leaders about questions they are having. The leaders are the ones that have a vested interest in these youth and are better equipped to minister to them in the long haul once they are back in their communities. But I do understand that it may be easier to talk to someone that doesn’t know their past and wont judge them for decisions they have made. When we pray with them and assure them that everything will be alright and no one is going to judge them then it may be time to share their feelings and commitment with the adult leaders who know them well.

Last night Tony asked me to speak to the group of staff that came into Cortez to for some much needed R&R. This was great opportunity for me because it just allowed me to speak from the heart and get things off my mind that I have been thinking about and not really saying to anyone except to Lee Ann. I would like to share this with you in hopes that it may touch you as well.

God Moments:
Colossians 3:12-17

There is devotion in Streams in the Desert about a gentleman who goes around with an oil can lubricating doors and windows that creaks and makes awful noises. He does this for the people who come behind him won’t hear the terrible sounds that come from opening doors or windows. We are to be like that as we meet people along our path, we are to oil the people who are no so happy, who are not so pleasant to be around, or who just need a word of encouragement.

Many times our busyness gets in the way of our ministry. Especially when have to get our job done, when we have to get dinner prepared, when we have to get the showers cleaned, when we have to get work for the participants to do, when we have to do our finances or many other things that get in our way from participating in ministry. I know that these things are important and they have to be done, but what is it costing us when we letting these things get in the way of being involved in ministry? Are we missing the opportunities that God has given provided for us?

I’m sure we all have stories of how we have been so busy running from 6:00am to 12:00 midnight that we have missed the “God Moments” that he has given us. I’m also sure that all of us have stories of how God has allowed us to be his vessel to minister to those who needed our support in one fashion or another. I have just a story I would like to share with you and you may have other stories you would like to share. One night many weeks ago right after church group time I was sitting in the club room just sitting at a table praying for the churches and the youth that we apart of the weekend. This youth come in crying and questioning the Bible and what it really means. I sit there listening to her and sharing my faith and assuring her that the Bible is 100% true and can be trusted. I am able to get her calmed down and thinking about what God truly says and means when He says that He loves each and every one of His children, even her. It is ok to have questions, but knowing that God is the one who has all the answers and there is nothing that He cannot handle or doesn’t know about. All of a sudden I see another young lady running through the hallway and out the door and then back in the door of the fellowship hall. At once she flops down on her knees at the table and is crying out to Jesus to take away her sins and her burdens and come into her heart. A couple of her friends come in and we all prayed with her and encouraged her in her journey of faith. What stories of “God Moments” have you witnessed…?

We as Christians who love Christ are called by Him to love one another just as He loves us. We are to essentially clear the way of all the obstacles that are hindering our brothers and sisters from reaching their full potential in Christ. The questions that I would like to ask is: Are we picking up our oil can and paving the way for our neighbors, for these youth, for these adult leaders, and even for each other so that all of us can move toward Christ in a more fuller and positive way? Are we taking time to see these “God Moments” in our lives and are we taking time see what God wants to show us nor only in the people that we come in contact with in our communities were we are serving this summer, but back at home as well.

I want to encourage each of us to no be looking at our own interest, but look for ways that will honor and bless others that along our path. Keep a watching eye and a listening ear for those God moments that He wants to share with each of us. When we experience the love and compassion of God we become vessels for Christ to work through us to bring someone closer to the fullness of Christ. As you go back to your communities, I encourage you to share these “God Moments” with each other so that God may be gloried through you testimonies.