What an amazing week! The HS ministry took it’s yearly Spring Break trip to Panama City Beach, FL, to the Laguna Beach Christian Resort, and I was able to go this year after missing out last year. We took 50+ students down for a week of fun and worship, and it was a great week, despite all the rain we received while there (and a leaky bus).
The theme for the week was Identity – who we are in Christ. The identities we dealt with were I am: An Alien, A Bride, A Child of God & Royalty, Salt and Light, and Conquerors. I was privileged to kick off the series on Monday by talking about how we are aliens in this world, and I taught with a heaviness on my heart that I had never felt before. I needed to say what God wanted said, and after I was done with the lesson, the students trekked to the beach on a prayer walk and then had a 30 minute focus time. As I stood on the beach and looked at the waves coming in, I cried.
I don’t know why I did. It wasn’t sadness, but it wasn’t really elation either. I guess it was the weight of being used by God and the feeling of unworthiness coming out, but at the same time, it was a spirit of thankfulness that welled up.
Afterwards, I had a few students come up to me and thanked me for the lesson, for speaking to what they were dealing with. A leader even said that I spoke at a good pace – that I didn’t rush it (I have a tendency to be a fast speaker). I received more positive feedback at the end of the week when I read the encouragement notes on the way home.
All in all, God spoke clearly to me. I’m on the right path, and I am doing the best I can. I am not perfect, but then again, no one is. I can only do the best I can for Him. And on this trip, He made it clear that I am doing what He wants me to do.
We had five baptisms on the trip this year, and I was asked to perform two of them. These are the first two I have ever done, and I was humbled at the opportunity. Both students remarked that I was a factor in their decision, and I was moved. To be asked is an honor, and it was another way that God affirmed that I am doing what He wants. The other students who got baptized are students who I didn’t know very well before the trip, but I feel that we bonded during the week. I look forward to seeing them grow in their faith.
A long, tiring, refreshing, amazing week. God showed up, God was worshipped and praised, and He was glorified.
Thank You God for everything You do.
