Self-sacrificing Friends

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5:18-20 (NIV)

My week at the Young Life camp in Georgia immersed me into the lives of teens. Even as a grandparent figure, they welcomed me. 

            Watching the young people learn about Jesus and help each other touched my heart. 

            During our week, a group of special needs teenagers joined the able-bodied ones as all participated in the activities. One young lady sang the national anthem acapella for over six hundred people before dinner one night. The crowd cheered when she finished. 

            Each day she stood with her buddy in front of me at club. She sang, danced and made adults smile at her enthusiasm. 

            When a young man in a wheelchair entered the clubroom with his friends, they helped him get down steps to be with the other students. At the end of the program, one would retrieve his wheelchair and push him away. Their kindness and service showed the love of Jesus. 

            Those friends made sure he enjoyed all aspects of camp. During western night, he was placed in line for the Virginia reel. Partners swirled around him so he could be part of the dance. 

            The following day his friends accomplished something I didn’t even try. A long, steep climb to the top of the mountain gave trekkers an opportunity to see the incredible view. Even though I would have loved to observe the panorama, my asthma kept me on the less strenuous trail. 

            The hike was known to be challenging but they endured the climb while carrying their friend in a sling over two poles on their shoulders.  They ignored their own obstacles to give him a view from the top. A second group carried a girl with a boot on her leg to the pinnacle. At least eight young men made their journey more difficult because of carrying a heavy load. 

            Their selfless actions reminded me of the men who lowered their friend through the roof to be healed by Jesus. But instead of lowering them, the teen boys carried two friends to experience Jesus. 

            When I see students violently protesting or complaining about insignificant matters, I will remember the young men who sacrificially assisted their friend all week to make his camp experience as meaningful as theirs. They truly showed the love of Jesus as they served with no thought of recognition for themselves. 

Loving Father, show us daily how we can serve sacrificially. Bless the young people who care for others and give us a beautiful example to follow.

Amen

       

Night of Laughter and Dancing

 

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

Close to six hundred teenagers, leaders, staff and their families, volunteer teens and adult guests formed a long procession down a dirt road to western themed night. Everyone dressed for the occasion at Sharptop Cove, a Young Life camp, in Georgia. 

            The teens had no idea what awaited them at the end of the road. But when they arrived, the fun began. Carnival games were set up for them to win tickets. They shot basketballs into hoops, footballs through hula hoops, set up bottles with a loop on a stick, knocked blocks over with a ball…When they won five tickets, they could throw a pie in their leader’s face. Five more tickets and they could spray the pie off their faces. 

            Popcorn and cotton candy were also available. No cost for anything and there was lots of laughing as music played.       After a while, students were instructed to form two lines-one of boys and one of girls. They circled behind a small barn and out the front. Couples were formed from the two lines and instructed to sit in groups of sixteen. The announcer told them to ask their partner where they were from and get to know each other while they waited for everyone to pair off. 

            Four couples then demonstrated how to do a simple square dance. The dancers stood and began the Virginia Reel. When someone didn’t know where to go, others told them. They laughed and moved down the line. Students came from Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Some were from affluent neighborhoods and others from the inner city. Some were black and others were white. The differences didn’t matter. They grabbed hands and danced. 

            Probably most of them had never done that type of dancing. But they joined in and had a great time with people they had never met. 

            When I watched the group, my heart was full. Unlike the world we had escaped for a while, no one was left out. No one was putting anyone down for being different. Hundreds of young people became kids with no problems delighting in the evening.

            With no phones for a week, the teenagers focused on being present and enjoying activities at camp. I pray that they will remember the joy of camp and learning how to love each other and God.

Loving Father, continue to be with those who attended camp and help them see how much God loves them. Change lives and strengthen the faith of those who accepted Jesus. Work in each life.

Amen