God Camp
Wow, I've been planing to write this entry for about 3 weeks now (what more evidence to you require of my rubbishness) so it might sound a little out of date for some but hey...!
Every summer young "cool" Christian teens flock to an agricultural showground in the wilds of Somerset, looking forward to a week or so of camping, smelly loos, loooooooong shower queues and, well, meeting with God. It must seem a rather strange habit to said "cool" teens non-evangelised friends, and however much I adore the ritual of a week under plastic, it is one of those things I think are truely WIERD about Christians.
I am of course talking about the joys of Soul Survivor. For those of you who don't understand this concept, there is really no better way to explain than to go yourself, and experience. Having felt that I'm getting a little old for the game over the past couple of years, I was delighted to attend a version of the conference aimed specifically at students and (wait for it...) twentysomethings (yay - my new label!!!) and despite the annual gamble with the weather not working in my favour this year (yes it rained, and YES the tent LEAKED!!) there was an amazing programme of speakers and seminars to challenge both the heart and the intellect.
I'm not sure if it was the choice of topics covered, the lay-it-down attitude of some speakers or the slightly more mature "congregation" of that conference but God seemed to be pretty challenging that week too, with everyone allowing more time and energy to leave space for Him to do stuff. Stuff was done indeed, but the remarkable thing that I want to share with you on this blog entry came on the last day (I will get to the point now).
The last meeting was almost entirely taken up by worship and "waiting on the Lord" - Mike P's talk was reduced to more of a chat, and everyone got quite sweaty jumping around lots. A bizarre thing began in one corner of the tent and moved gradually across the whole lot of us - uncontrollable giggling. Of course for some it was more blatant than others, and I imagine there were many who were laughing more at the ridiculousness of the situation than in the throes of the Spirit but nonetheless it was a very intense, surreal, and yet special experience to be part of. A word was given to explain what was going on - " The joy of the Lord is your strength", and it was suggested by the leadership that God was touching people with His joy to strengthen them for the situations they would be facing on their return home.
I wasn't found on the floor in uncontrollable mirth, it has to be said. But it was the interpretation of this move of the Spirit which touched me, and gave me an insight which has brought me much more joy than a few moments of unexplainable laughter could possibly have given. Since I went to uni, life has thrown what we may term a couple of "curve balls" and I have learnt much about God's power perfected in my weakness and the strength of God through the dark times. So much so that my perception of growth was that it only came out of times of trouble and suffering, and would be associated with the hardest times in my recent life.
Although I do believe life following Jesus is not about flowers and butterflies, my epiphany is this:- that God can, and whats more chooses to, strengthen you through joy and laughter and GOOD THINGS TOO!! How amazing is that?!
Brilliant.
Every summer young "cool" Christian teens flock to an agricultural showground in the wilds of Somerset, looking forward to a week or so of camping, smelly loos, loooooooong shower queues and, well, meeting with God. It must seem a rather strange habit to said "cool" teens non-evangelised friends, and however much I adore the ritual of a week under plastic, it is one of those things I think are truely WIERD about Christians.
I am of course talking about the joys of Soul Survivor. For those of you who don't understand this concept, there is really no better way to explain than to go yourself, and experience. Having felt that I'm getting a little old for the game over the past couple of years, I was delighted to attend a version of the conference aimed specifically at students and (wait for it...) twentysomethings (yay - my new label!!!) and despite the annual gamble with the weather not working in my favour this year (yes it rained, and YES the tent LEAKED!!) there was an amazing programme of speakers and seminars to challenge both the heart and the intellect.
I'm not sure if it was the choice of topics covered, the lay-it-down attitude of some speakers or the slightly more mature "congregation" of that conference but God seemed to be pretty challenging that week too, with everyone allowing more time and energy to leave space for Him to do stuff. Stuff was done indeed, but the remarkable thing that I want to share with you on this blog entry came on the last day (I will get to the point now).
The last meeting was almost entirely taken up by worship and "waiting on the Lord" - Mike P's talk was reduced to more of a chat, and everyone got quite sweaty jumping around lots. A bizarre thing began in one corner of the tent and moved gradually across the whole lot of us - uncontrollable giggling. Of course for some it was more blatant than others, and I imagine there were many who were laughing more at the ridiculousness of the situation than in the throes of the Spirit but nonetheless it was a very intense, surreal, and yet special experience to be part of. A word was given to explain what was going on - " The joy of the Lord is your strength", and it was suggested by the leadership that God was touching people with His joy to strengthen them for the situations they would be facing on their return home.
I wasn't found on the floor in uncontrollable mirth, it has to be said. But it was the interpretation of this move of the Spirit which touched me, and gave me an insight which has brought me much more joy than a few moments of unexplainable laughter could possibly have given. Since I went to uni, life has thrown what we may term a couple of "curve balls" and I have learnt much about God's power perfected in my weakness and the strength of God through the dark times. So much so that my perception of growth was that it only came out of times of trouble and suffering, and would be associated with the hardest times in my recent life.
Although I do believe life following Jesus is not about flowers and butterflies, my epiphany is this:- that God can, and whats more chooses to, strengthen you through joy and laughter and GOOD THINGS TOO!! How amazing is that?!
Brilliant.
posted by Susie at
11:33 AM
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