June is the month that the church camp that we work with, Guadalupe Christian Camp, hosts their weeks of camp for the summer. There is a Beginner week for K-2nd grade, Elementary week for 3rd-6th grade, and Youth week for Jr. and Sr. High this year. Beginner is already completed, but as I write this on Wednesday, Elementary camp is going strong. My wife and I went to visit the kids on Tuesday that we sent from Carlsbad (we had 16), and then we will be spending the week next week at Youth camp, as I’m one of the deans for that week. So, we spent about seven hours at the camp yesterday, just hanging out and spending time with the kids and adults that are there this week. And I was revitalized and reminded of something great while we were there, and as I prepare for spending the whole week there next week. What was I reminded of? Why I love being in ministry and how important it is to have the faith of a child.
While we were there, we got to see kids excited about learning God’s word through the Bible, and having fun while doing it. We got to see an adult that was there for the week talking to his own son about what being saved is all about. I’m not sure where the full conversation went, but the idea that some of the kids there are interested enough to start asking questions about giving their lives to Jesus is amazing. Also, we got to spend some time talking to the camp manager and his wife, and seeing their excitement about getting to invest in the lives of these kids is energizing. And I get to spend all week there next week with a bunch of teenagers. How can you not like this job!?
I was reminded of something a little greater than just all of this, however, and that is what I want to share with you today. These kids actually are a model of what we are supposed to be like in our faith. That is not saying that we should not mature and therefore have a weak faith. Actually it means just the opposite. The faith of a child is actually very strong. It holds excitement and commitment. It holds a longing for learning more and more. In fact, Jesus tells us that we all need to have the faith of a child. Matthew 18:1-5 reads, ‘At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’
In a world where we tend to over-analyze everything, we need to be reminded to have child-like faith. That does not mean that we should not study and try to learn more. Just the opposite, because the kids that I know want to learn. They are on fire in their faith and cannot get enough about what it means to be a Christian. Seeing this in action again reminds me of why I love doing what I do. If you are reading this, and you do not have a relationship with Jesus, I would love to talk to you. Just name the time and the place and I will be there. Your life will never be the same!
Thoughts from a Crosseyed Jesus Freak 