“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Camps are one of my favorite places to go. It creates so much enthusiasm with students through the fun, games, and activities. But it also provides an opportunity to be away from your normal routine and to simply be with God. Over the course of our junior high camp we had the chance to see all of these things take place. Students were running around, riding the zipline and climbing obstacle courses. They were sharing meals with one another and laughing about the different memories they had that day. Then they would be worshipping together, seen arm in arm and some with hands raised praising God in song. I knew how amazing camp was but it truly hit me on the last night.
We gathered on the ballfield for a time of worship under the stars and communion with our churches. Our students were challenged to really examine their lives, what are things they needed to surrender to God, how they can keep this fire as we go home, and who in their lives can they share the Good News with. Our students spent their quiet time with God and I would hear a couple of them crying. A few students stood by the campfire for their quiet time and I would approach them to check in and shared that one of their peers might need some comfort. Before I could even finish my sentence, the students made their way back to the tarp and embraced one another. And all I could hear were whispers of encouragement, that they will make it through and God is with them.
In that moment, I was reminded of the power that comes with love. To see students that night reflecting upon the overflowing love that God has for each and every one of them. And then to see them carrying out the second greatest commandment of loving one another without any hesitation.
Who in your life might need the reminder that they are loved? How can each of us, as we go about our day, show that we are followers of Christ through our love for Him and our love for one another? May we show that same love without hesitation to the countless people we interact with, embracing them and seeing God’s work in and through their lives.
