3 Lessons from YAM Camp

Lesson 1: Prayer is a tough job, an immensely important job and a very powerful act.

I confess, I used to think that the job of a prayer warrior is delegated to those who are unable to pray for those working in the field, aka the incompetent and lowly. Maybe because the situations where prayer is the only solution are the situations where we are most helpless. Watching Selly, Cheryl and Ben settle Youth camp devotions, like so many times before, I was helpless and my pride spurred me to barge in. But this time, I sat quietly behind them and humbled myself and supported them in prayer. And it may not seem much, but I could see their sleepy brain gears start picking up speed and more smiles on their faces. It was so immediate, thank you Father for listening.

Lesson 2: Encouraging and sharing our lives with each other is crucial among God's people.

Especially important among God's people because we continually serve and pour out of ourselves. Therefore, it is more necessary to share with and encourage each other. I don't know why, but Pearlyn would openly share with me her take-aways from the message and her struggles with serving. And on the last night, Ray and I talked about my brother and the struggles of an introvert being a befriender. He even remembered our conversations from last year's camp about befrienders. It was so encouraging to talk to someone who could empathize, made me feel that I can break mental barriers.

Lesson 3: Love is sacrificial, it must come from God's spring and it knows no bounds.

After all, all love is a shadow of what God's love looks like. So as we love and watch others show love, our concept of love is broadened. And since God and Jesus are our reference of love, we must look to Christ before we start loving someone. Therefore ideally, our love should be regardless of the amount of water in our emotional bucket. Of course, the basis is that we remain in the True Vine, we obey Him and we daily contemplate on His love for us.

Of course, 11 days to Christmas.