Last weekend, my school went on a campout. Within that campout, there were two options: one, we could stay with the main group, or two, we could go on a canoeing campout. There was limited space for the canoeing trip, but I was blessed enough to be able to go. My friend Wayanne said that we could share a tent. From there, we decided to do everything else together, including cooking and canoeing. At breakfast the day we left, we organized our meal plans and packed our food for the weekend. Shortly after that, we were off.
There were 73 people that went on this campout all together and just a little over 20 of those people went canoeing. We had lunch with the main group, and then headed out onto the water. After a couple hours of zigzagging through the water, we finally made it to the camp site. Our canoe was the first one to scrape against the gravelly shore.
All in all, it was a great weekend. I got plenty of sleep, spent quality time with friends, and ate great camp food. The challenge came when we headed home.
After breakfast, we packed everything up, cleaned our campsite and headed out. After thanking God for the weekend, and asking His protection on our safe return, we headed out. All the way from the start of the trip, Wayanne and I were in the back of the line. We tried to apply force to our paddling, which helped momentarily, but we soon would fall behind again. For most of the way we were in the back of the line, struggling to keep up. We felt invigorated by our restful weekend, but it wasn’t enough to keep us with the group.
For most of the trip, I was frustrated. “Why aren’t we moving?” I wanted to be with the rest of the group, but it just wasn’t working. Finally, I remembered a verse that my morning worship group has been memorizing: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4 KJV)
I was uplifted by remembering this verse. It was also encouraging to know that memorizing Bible verses really does pay off! Being patient helped me enjoy my trip, and made the time pass more quickly.
When you are faced with trials and difficult circumstances, trust in God. Understand that God knows what He’s doing. By testing your faith, He can build your patience so that you can be more like Him.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Backhoe Driver
The other day, in PE, my class helped the people working campus clean up the entry way to our school. They were working towards planting grass, but they had to get rid of as many rocks as they could first. That was where we came in. Our PE teacher wanted us to help gather rocks. One of the guys climbed into the backhoe and followed along behind us. Slowly, we worked on picking up all the larger rocks, and throwing them into the backhoe’s bucket. We soon got a system going. Our class formed a line, so that we covered as much as we could. There were people out on the end of the line that had plastic buckets, so they didn’t have to go to the backhoe each time they picked up a rock. I was one of those people.
As time went on, our line got a little staggered. Some people stayed with the backhoe, and some skipped on ahead. Others fell behind. I was also one of those people. Some of the others who also fell behind asked me if they could put their rocks in my bucket, since the backhoe was a ways away. “Of course” I would tell them, “That’s what I’m here for!”
Gradually, my bucket got full. It almost got to the point where I couldn’t carry it anymore. I finally had to empty my bucket. I slowly made my way to the backhoe. Once there, I heaved my relatively little bucket up to the large metal bucket. Oh how light it felt after I emptied it!
The driver was careful of all of us. He made sure that none of us got ran over, and that we all were able to put our rocks into the metal bucket. He often encouraged me to empty my bucket by slowing down his speed so I wouldn’t be afraid to come near to the machine.
I know of another “Backhoe Driver” who behaves much like ours did that day. In our everyday lives, I pick up burdens, and so often, I put these burdens in my own little bucket. I add weight to my life. People also give me their burdens to carry; they ask if they can lean on me. Slowly but surely, I find that I have a back-breaking load. What can I do but give it all over to Him?
The Driver calls to me “Take My yoke upon yourself and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
(Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV) He will carry the weight for me; I know that I can’t carry it on my own.
Jesus asks you to give Him all your burdens. Why should you carry them, when you have a Backhoe Driver who will take them all for you?
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
As time went on, our line got a little staggered. Some people stayed with the backhoe, and some skipped on ahead. Others fell behind. I was also one of those people. Some of the others who also fell behind asked me if they could put their rocks in my bucket, since the backhoe was a ways away. “Of course” I would tell them, “That’s what I’m here for!”
Gradually, my bucket got full. It almost got to the point where I couldn’t carry it anymore. I finally had to empty my bucket. I slowly made my way to the backhoe. Once there, I heaved my relatively little bucket up to the large metal bucket. Oh how light it felt after I emptied it!
The driver was careful of all of us. He made sure that none of us got ran over, and that we all were able to put our rocks into the metal bucket. He often encouraged me to empty my bucket by slowing down his speed so I wouldn’t be afraid to come near to the machine.
I know of another “Backhoe Driver” who behaves much like ours did that day. In our everyday lives, I pick up burdens, and so often, I put these burdens in my own little bucket. I add weight to my life. People also give me their burdens to carry; they ask if they can lean on me. Slowly but surely, I find that I have a back-breaking load. What can I do but give it all over to Him?
The Driver calls to me “Take My yoke upon yourself and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
(Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV) He will carry the weight for me; I know that I can’t carry it on my own.
Jesus asks you to give Him all your burdens. Why should you carry them, when you have a Backhoe Driver who will take them all for you?
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
Monday, May 16, 2011
Swim Harder
Many who are qualified to do excellent work accomplish little because they attempt little. (Help in Daily Living, pg. 43)
“AHH! This is so cold,” I screamed as I stepped warily into the freezing pond on the lower end of our campus. Katie was already in up to her knees in the water. Determined to swim at least a little that day, Katie and I headed down to the pond. By the time I was finally up to my knees in the water, Katie was already swimming around. She was planning to do 30 laps across the pond. I didn’t even consider it. There was no way I would be able to stay in that water long enough to swim one lap, not to mention 30.
I finally decided to jump in, head long, and swim frantically towards the floating dock. About half-way there, my legs started to cramp up, which made any progress completely dependent on my arms. I made it to the floating dock in record time; there was no way I would stay in the water for much longer than record time!
I hauled myself up onto the floating dock and sat there, watching Katie swim back and forth. She ended up only doing 21 laps, but that was still 21 more laps than I did. When I decided that it was time to head back to the dorm, I forced myself to muster the courage to get back into the water. I finally slipped into the frigidness, and paddled back to the shore.
I did enjoy my time at the pond, but I could have gotten more out of it if I had tried. Instead of swimming the most I could, I tried to swim the least. I didn’t try to swim a lot, so I didn’t think I could.
In my Christian walk, I sometimes don’t want to do things that I’m not used to doing. I want to stay warm in my “comfort zone” instead of doing hard things for God. But if I was to apply myself to what He calls me to do, I would be able to accomplish so much for His cause! Will you attempt to do more for God today?
“AHH! This is so cold,” I screamed as I stepped warily into the freezing pond on the lower end of our campus. Katie was already in up to her knees in the water. Determined to swim at least a little that day, Katie and I headed down to the pond. By the time I was finally up to my knees in the water, Katie was already swimming around. She was planning to do 30 laps across the pond. I didn’t even consider it. There was no way I would be able to stay in that water long enough to swim one lap, not to mention 30.
I finally decided to jump in, head long, and swim frantically towards the floating dock. About half-way there, my legs started to cramp up, which made any progress completely dependent on my arms. I made it to the floating dock in record time; there was no way I would stay in the water for much longer than record time!
I hauled myself up onto the floating dock and sat there, watching Katie swim back and forth. She ended up only doing 21 laps, but that was still 21 more laps than I did. When I decided that it was time to head back to the dorm, I forced myself to muster the courage to get back into the water. I finally slipped into the frigidness, and paddled back to the shore.
I did enjoy my time at the pond, but I could have gotten more out of it if I had tried. Instead of swimming the most I could, I tried to swim the least. I didn’t try to swim a lot, so I didn’t think I could.
In my Christian walk, I sometimes don’t want to do things that I’m not used to doing. I want to stay warm in my “comfort zone” instead of doing hard things for God. But if I was to apply myself to what He calls me to do, I would be able to accomplish so much for His cause! Will you attempt to do more for God today?
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