Saturday, July 14, 2012

When I Can't

A whine.  "I can't!"  The mantra of Jr. High girls at camp.  Then, by God's grace, one of them posted this note on the door:  Ask God for help first.

This mean counselor doesn't give free time until verses are recited.  "I can't!" 
"What does the sign say?"
"Ask God for help first."

Girls were angry and resentful, using tacky glue on another's bedding.  "I don't want to deal with this, God."  Then I looked at the note on the door.  "Ask God for help first."

A salvation invitation was given and two girls repented, accepting God's forgiveness through Christ.  A third was confused and lost.  "I can't!"
"What does the sign say?"
"Ask God for help first."

On the lake, a camper was thrown off the innertube, into the lake.  She struggled to get on. "I can't!"
"What does the sign say?"
"Ask God for help first."

The final day this counselor couldn't go on.  She fell apart and needed a break.  "I can't." 
"What does the sign say?"she asked herself.
"Ask God for help first."

And our memory passage for the week was spot-on:

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  (Ephesians 4:14-21)

In the end,  the verses were recited, 4 salvation decision were made, conflicts were resolved, no one drowned in the lake or got left behind, and this counselor had to ask for help, which the Lord graciously provided. Our God is amazing.  What a privilege to serve and be used!

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