The summer continues to fly by and I still feel like I just arrived. I guess time flies when you are having fun. First session is about to come to an end and it is tough to think about a new group arriving to work with you for another session of the summer. Even after being here for 3 summers you would think that I would know how to handle the transition of new workers but it is sooooo tough. As a property we put as much time and energy in building these amazing friendship/relationships and then we watch them leave as a brand new group arrives. Not only is it a new group but it is a group that we as a property need to build the same kind of relationships with them.
Right now we have a unique transition camp in here for 5 days. It is the Mars Hill Church based in Ballard, WA. They rented out Malibu for the 5 days we had available to put on a outreach camp for kids in the Puget Sound area. It has been interesting. Different feel then a Young Life camp but a lot of the same events throughout the week. It has ended up being a light week of work for me which is great to prepare myself a little for the new session coming in.
About 4 times a week the guest services team has a devotional that is put on by the interns. This has been a great opportunity for me to share with the work staff what is on my heart. I want to share with you what I shared the first day I presented a devotional.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
I knew going in to this devotional that my main focus was going to be on the verses 6-7 but I allowed the devotional to go wherever it went. The first things I asked the work staff was what caused them anxiety or worry. I made everyone share something of some sort so that everyone would get an opportunity even those who usually don't share. I thought it would warm up the space so that people would feel more comfortable sharing what they thought.
I then had them read out this passage of scripture so that they could hear what Jesus had to say about worry. From this we went to talk about ways to pray and how as human beings, especially Americans we are taught to ask for things and be selfish. We are constantly asking, dreaming about what God can give us rather then what we could do for Him. This isn't how the Lord intended prayer to be. He intended it to be a relationship. The word peace is used in verse 7 and I think it is very significant for when it comes to prayer. I think the Lord wants to give His peace.
I encouraged the work staff to focus on releasing the things that cause them to worry. I referred back to verse 5 which reads that "The Lord is near." I believe that the Lord is always near but I think for some Malibu is a place where they really feel the Lord being near. I told them I believe that there is a reason for all of us to be here at Malibu and I think it is an opportunity to release these worries and FINALLY receive the Peace of God.
While I have been here I have really tried to focus on the Holy Spirit's Peace. I want this peace to be so evident in my soul that is resonates onto others around me. May the peace of God be with you.
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. -1 Thessalonians 2:8
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