T-0: Camp Begins

Well, today marks the beginning of Camp Tsungani 2008. I’m already at the camp with a handful of people and we’ve already distributed all the supplies and materials around the camp. At 11:00 today the staff arrives and staff training begins. Tomorrow at 11:00 the campers arrive and camp begins in earnest.

In my devotional journey leading up to this day, I’ve come to understand several personality traits, behaviors and beliefs of the various characters I studied. Caleb exemplifies encouragement; Nehemiah exemplifies faithfulness; Daniel exemplifies self-control and Mary exemplifies obedience. Each of these people help me to understand a single facet of my relationship to God. Their example points me in the right direction and encourages me to allow these same traits to be developed in myself.

As important as that is, what is really critical for my understanding is that the stories of each of these people help me to better understand the true nature of Christ. Christ embodied and perfected the characteristics of encouragement, faithfulness, self-control, obedience and thousands more. To understand these four people is to see a reflection of the totality of Christ. To practice encouragement, faithfulness, self-control and obedience is to move me one step closer to the full realization of my rebirth in Christ.

I’m sure that in the coming days, there will be ample opportunities to chip away at the walls of my heart and to reveal these characteristics of Christ in me.

With that, I lay aside my computer for the coming week. I have no intention of posting my daily devotional musings while at camp and I ask that you be in prayer for this camp.

Warm Regards,
Carl 'Chief Running Water' Schultz