The Lord really moved in such a powerful way, and I can't stop thinking about it. The Lord dealt with me personally about different areas of my life I needed to surrender and reconsecrate.
God's love and care for us is overwhelming. He cares so much, and He wants us to know this. He desires for us to love and care for Him also, to delight in Him and have a relationship with Him that is greater than anything else.
That is what I want. To know Him deeper, to have a closer walk. To be in His presence daily. To keep falling deeper and deeper in love with Him.
I had come to a point in my life where for the past two years, I really haven't grown much in my faith. I knew I was lacking. I knew I could be more sincere and dedicated. I should have been praying about certain situations and decisions, seeking His will in everything -- but I didn't. I could have been searching the Word daily, receiving strength from Him, but I let other things take priority over spending time with my Lord.
I stalled.
The theme of the camp this weekend was "Running the Race".
During devotions with my group, we discussed hindrances in the physical and spiritual race.
When you are going to run a race, or let's say, a marathon, you have to prepare for it. If you are out of shape, would you be able to finish the race? Sometimes you will face rocky terrain, and hills and mountains. Sometimes the weather isn't ideal. There may be distractions along the way. You may run out of energy and strength. Succumb to dehydration. So many things could happen.
Same in the spiritual race. Worldly distractions and not spending time in the Word will make us unprepared to run this race and conquer all obstacles in our path. We need to prepare ourselves by getting into prayer and by reading and studying the Word of God.
In the book of Nehemiah, the prophet prayed that God would strengthen their hands "for this good work", as they rebuilt the walls in Jerusalem. With one hand they worked on the wall, with the other, they held their sword, ready to conquer any enemy that might rise up against them to stop the wall from being completed.
We need that strength that could only come from our Lord -- the Holy Ghost power abiding in us, leading and guiding us.
That's my prayer. Lord, strengthen our hands for this good work. Strengthen our legs as we run this race, that we will
"Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus".
That we will
"Lay aside every weight that doth easily beset us" --pressures of this world, cares, burdens... these are all chains that weigh us down. We can't run if we have chains wrapped around our feet.
A heavy burden weighing upon our shoulders will slow us down. Imagine the Lord coming along, the God of the universe for whom nothing is too hard to carry, coming along and offering to take your burden. Why hold on to it? Surrender it to Him. The liberty and freedom you'll find in Him is like no other!
Let Him take your burden. Let Him break every chain.
Oh, He is such a marvelous God!
Like Paul, when it comes to the end of my race here on earth, I want to be able to say this:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
{2 Timothy 4:7,8}
