Every year, we all pile into the freezing tabernacle excited about worship. We expect nothing less than a complete worship atmosphere. We are anticipating the word of God and causally wondering what alter service will be like.
The completive spirit is gone, the stresses of waiting in long shower lines and getting ready on time is gone; it is time for church.
As the lights are dimmed and all the pre-service photos are taken, we gather together as the music plays. Throughout worship, there is no judgement. There is not any times of which our arms feel heavy. Liberty surrounds us and we easily forget the person next to us.
The worship ends and the speaker takes his place, the spirit lingers just enough that every now-and-then you feel a little something. Having the unlimited ability to take part vocally in the sermons, it is a different atmosphere.
Alter time has come and, following the Spirit's leading, we always seem to get just what we needed, even if we did not think we needed it. Together, with our friends who have the same intentions as us, we pray not knowing just ho much our prayers are being heard. We feel things either that we have never felt, or stronger than we have ever felt. It is our time; it is indescribable.
After four nights of, hopefully, giving it all we have got, camp is over. We load up, say our goodbyes, and head home to reflect on the week and catch up on sleep.
We do not see that worship again. We do not take part in service exactly how we did at camp. We blame it on the atmosphere being different. We know that it will never be the same.
But how do we get past that? How do we push ourselves to worship just the same and pray just the same at our home churches? How do we let go of the friends that are holding us back and keep the God-fearing friends around us, like we did at camp?
It is so easy to be Saved at camp. How come it is not that easy at home?
We can do it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We can be strong, courageous and stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13). We can be our camp-self all year.
There comes a time when we have to realize that we have to usher in the Spirit. We can not depend on a praise team or a preacher, we have to do it. We have to realize that we can get in that secret place with God in a sanctuary with all the lights on and blue-haired grannies two rows behind us.
We have to grow up. We have to be unwavering in our worship. We have to step up as leaders.
Camp is not to be the place you worship once a year, it is to be the place that rejuvenates you to be the person you are called to be the other 51 weeks in the year.
Camp is great. We all love camp. Camp revives us, but it can not be the only glimpse of revival we see. We have to stand up. It is time to carry the revival off of the grounds and release it into our lives, churches and schools.
The same God that you feel at camp is the same God in your youth room on Wednesdays and sanctuary on Sundays.
We are the same worshipers. Let the worshippers arise.
