I was flipping through radio stations on my way home from Muncie tonight and caught a brief bit on talk radio about another athlete and coach in trouble for causing serious injury to other athletes because they lost their temper. Once again, I had to shake my head in disgust. It is less and less about a person maintaining self-control and discipline and more and more about getting what you want. It’s kind of sad, really, that men act like spoiled children, men who should be standing up to be leaders and role models. What are our children seeing when they look at their elders? Are they seeing someone who knows what it means to be responsible, what it means to hold strong values, what it means to be disciplined and in control of oneself at all times? Are they seeing someone they can respect, who can teach them what it means to grow up and be mature? Or are they seeing someone whose lifestyle says that it is alright to go after whatever you want, no matter what harm it may cause others?
What do they see in you? What do they see in me? Are we leading the next generation? Or are we expecting them to find their own way?
This summer I’ll be out of state spending 10-12 weeks at a Christian camp where I’ll either be leading a day camp through fun activities/Bible time or, on certain weeks, spending 24 hours a day with boys in my own cabin, leading them on a program that concludes with a Commitment Night, where the kids can choose Christ.
I’m placing a lot of significance on it, and I’d hope understandably so – I want that kind of experience to define me.
Summer camps are an awesome way to minister to others. I always enjoyed going to Bible camp. Between the speakers and a couple of key counselors, they were always life-changing. I’ve always wanted to go back as a counselor but never had the opportunity, so definitely take advantage of that.