My Testimony
Last month I came home from being a counselor at Camp Penn. Every year I make the pilgrimage down there to serve Him because for years counselors did the same for me. Those men and women of God greatly impacted my life. I don’t generally cry in front of people, but there is one story that brought me to tears in front of everyone this summer.
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Fifteen (yes 15!) summers ago (August 2001), I made the biggest decision of my life. A decision bigger than what instrument to play in school, bigger than what college I would go to, and even bigger than choosing which career I would pursue. I chose to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and commit to a life of discipleship.
I was 8 and was sitting around the hot campfire (most of you know how much I sweat) at Camp Penn. Counselors shared their testimonies about seeking God in hard times, we sang slow songs, and then it was the big moment. A counselor stood up and asked anyone who want to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior to come up to the fire circle during the next song. As we were singing, I played in the dirt and sang. And BOOM that butterfly, boarderline have to puke feeling hit me. So of course I prayed, “God, please don’t let me puke in the middle of this serious moment.” As I silently waiting, listening to the lyrics, I realized that it wasn’t the apple crisp and mexi-corn from dinner...it was the Holy Spirit.
I walked around to the other side of the fire circle to an open spot and just stared at the fire. I can still see the flames, as tall as I was (so not very big) and feel the utter peace. I prayed with the rest of the kids over this decision and went to the Rec Hall to have counseling. I sat with Bill, my counselor (an older man), and he shared a blue pamphlet called “What to do next” with me.
The rest is a blur until I got home, but I remember my mom finding the blue pamphlet in my room one day. She talked about it with me, and I remember the pride in her eyes.
I, obviously, had the benefit of having a family that took me to church, but were very open that this decision was my choice. However, I chose Him. And my family has been a huge part of this journey. It’s become less of surface conversations, and about “listen to this verse I read,” “hear what God told me today,” “can you believe how awesome God is?!” I’ve likewise found prayerful friends who have made fellowship beyond coffee and donuts in a gymnasium. I have a community (a true church) that reaches into my life and mourns, laughs, cries, praises, etc. with me.
This journey has been the longest, hardest, yet most rewarding and inspiring road I could have chosen. It hasn’t always been mexi-corn and apple crisp (or butterflies and roses - to each their own), but He didn’t promise it would be. God has taken:
brokenness and made it whole
abuse and made it nurture
shame and made it glory
doubt and made it confidence
I know this journey of discipleship isn’t over, and that this life here on earth is but a blink in comparison to eternity. I serve a BIG God, with BIG plans. And I can’t wait to see where the next g15 years take me with Him.
