Alive in Christ - A Camp Journey Lesson for Us All
I encourage you to read Colossians 3:1-17 either before or after you read this.
The word “alive” comes to my mind and heart when I contemplate the preparation as well as the end of the first few nights of this year’s Camp Journey. With 40+ volunteers and nearly 100 children, the Wonka’s Faith Factory has come alive! Even though the gears and the candy are not real, the hearts of the people who walk through the Wonka gate are! Many of the kids “know” about Jesus and many have heard the Good and Grand News about how they can get to heaven. But do the "lively" children know what it means to be "alive" in Christ? We tend to think of this chapter as being for adults only because it tells us we died and our life is hidden with Christ. A child’s mind may not process this effectively and that’s totally okay. That is the work of the Spirit anyway. The chapter also tells us to put to death earthly things, such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Of course, for the age group Faith Factory is created for this may seem a bit strong. However, there is a way to teach these amazing kids the truth that Christ wants us to get rid of sinful, evil ways and clothe ourselves with the internal characteristics found in Colossians 3:12: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and let’s not forget forgiveness.
What is the vision here? To show each child who walks through that gate and into each station how much they are loved and chosen by God. That each of them can have Jesus as their friend and can wear this “clothing” every day. They do not have to give in to the desires of the world. Old “Slugworth” (the enemy in our skit) tries his best to convince the kids they don’t need this type of clothing and that they have a right to do whatever they want. But each night Willow Wonka helps the children defeat the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit with our giant Heart-Match-O-Matic Machine.
Among the super fun stations the kids visit each night, they visit the Way-back Story 3:12 Room. This room is set apart from the other stations and is set up like a theater. Bible characters come alive to teach straight from God's Word the theme of the night. The kids also learn to apply this truth to their everyday lives. Whether the kids are in the Stretching Station playing games, the Tasting Room having a delicious snack, or in the glowing Wacky Wonder Room, they are loved by amazing volunteers who are allowing Christ to dwell among them and admonishing each other through the giftings God has given them. We are all practicing verse 3 this week and trusting that God is pleased.
The littlest of the littles, ages 3-5, are in their own Candy Land learning how to be friends with each other, crafting, playing games, hearing The Word and learning the same verse! You and I both know it's never too early to learn Colossians 3:12.
How about you? Is there something about this passage that sticks out for you? Ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart to see if you need to put off something old and clothe yourself in something new. What state is your heart in? Planning this year's Camp Journey caused me to examine my own heart to make sure I’m allowing Christ to come alive in me so I can be used by Him.
Verse 17 says this: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. We are saying and doing this a lot this week in the Faith Factory. We do it for the glory of God, trusting the kids will become a friend of Jesus Christ and come alive spiritually.
At the end of the week, we will be worn out and ready for a physical break, but praise Jesus, we are alive in Christ, and no one can take that from us! Our entire team appreciates all the prayers that have been, and will continue to be, offered through Jesus for this year's Camp!
May Christ come alive in you,
Brinda VanLeuven
