Years ago, my wife and I were co-leading a week long summer camp in central Wisconsin.  We showed up a day early to make sure everything was in place. Car by car, families pulled up and dropped their precious cargo of junior high students.  When it was all said and done we had about thirty in all.  We met at the fir circle and covered some ground rules and expectations.

Very quickly, I sized up the group and knew there was one guy in particular that was going to be more than a handful.  I was young, filled with Mountain Dew and ready for the challenge.  This included sleeping less than 2hrs per night and hiding in the woods near the girls cabin to make sure nothing happened.

After two days I was praying that God would just get me through until the end of the week. As usual God’s plans were bigger.  Night one I shared how God had created everything in the universe intentionally and on the second night how man had brought sin into the picture. This night I shared what Jesus did in the cross and that He did it for them also.

The students were instructed to leave the fire circle without saying a word and to go back to their cabins with their leaders and just wait.  My wife and I, as well as the other couple co-leading went from cabin to cabin washing the feet of the students inside.  At this point may I just add I was not thrilled about this part at all. I don’t even like touching my wife’s feet; sorry honey!  As I washed this kids feet I felt the Holy Spirit move/push my head down to this guy’s feet and I kissed them.  My mind raced with thoughts of lawsuits and too many thoughts to list.

I finished and headed back up to the fire. Shortly there after, he came up to me while I was playing guitar by the fire and whispered in my ear, “no one has ever loved me like that before”.  I replied, “That’s how Jesus loves us, like no other”. God taught me so many lessons that night.  Nothing is impossible with Him!  He reminded me that all of life is about relationship, more specifically with Him.  It’s not about us and our comfort but about those Him and hose who need to hear the truth.  I looked at this student and was trying not to endure, God looked at him with love and saw one of His children…

Personal Reflection

We all know someone we have to “endure”. I believe God is asking you not to endure, but to love them today. What can you do to serve them today. Maybe that thought is as repugnant as washing feet to you. Maybe, just maybe, God is about to move in an amazing way changing someone’s eternity and yours!

Prayer Focus

Precious LORD thank you for teaching me so powerfully and patiently.  Redirect our minds to the things that matter.  Give us your heart for the hurt, lost and abandoned.  Give us the perseverance to love them in spite of their walls they have built. Tear down the strongholds that have blocked them from living in your joy.  Give us the desire to Know, Live, and Speak the truth, be equipped to Love and Serve, and Skilled to make a difference. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!