The Power Of Acceptance!

I always look forward to spending a week with the teens at Delano Bay Christian Camp each year and though I go prepared to help them in their spiritual growth, I always return with having received much myself. This year was no exception. Our desire as staff is to always take the minds of the teens deep into the truths of God and find practical application for daily living. We want changed lives (for both campers and staff) to leave the camp by the end of the week. However, there are still some lighter sides to the camp experience that have become tradition over the years. One of those traditions is that on a night when spaghetti is on the menu, I will put on a white shirt, dark pants, a white shirt and bow tie, blue vest and bright orange cummerbund and stroll around the tables playing my violin. Besides some sweet serenading, I will eventually do a little fiddling as well. Those who have seen me do this before usually let it be a surprise for those who have not been to this camp session. Though my music is enjoyed, one of the powerful things to me is the manner in which I am received as I walk into the room with my violin. The way the teens applaud, cheer and howl before I have even played a note is as if I were a rock star or some famous celebrity. It couldn't be a more powerful reception than that. The teens truly make me feel special and I thank God for their acceptance.

Paul felt a real specialness in the way he was accepted and received by those in Galatia. In fact, he reminded them of this in a letter written to encourage holding firmly to the truth of Christ.

We read. . .
"(13) You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, (14) and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but RECEIVED ME AS AN ANGEL OF GOD, AS CHRIST JESUS." ( Galatians 4:13-14 ESV)

Certainly Paul did not view himself as Jesus Christ or an angel of God, though he was a chosen messenger of the Gospel of Jesus. Paul's humility was evident in his acknowledgement he did not even deserve to be called an Apostle. ( 1 Corinthians 15:9) Nevertheless, there was a very special connection between Paul and those at Galatia. He had been very well received. I think of how much that must have encouraged Paul when I think of the manner in which I am received by the teens at camp. Certainly I am not the Lord Jesus Christ nor even on a par with the Apostle Paul. But to be received as a member of God's family and made to feel the specialness of that connection is truly POWERFUL ENCOURAGEMENT!

Again, thinking back to camp, besides being received as if I were a rock star, the connection I experienced with the guys in my cabin, the teens who were in my class, and through other activities during the camp session; all were a source of POWERFUL ENCOURAGEMENT to me. The teens (and fellow camp staff) may never fully know how much their acceptance and encouragement means to me in a very personal way. As we consider the way we are with others, we may not fully know the extent of the impact we can have on them. It can be very powerful; the sense of acceptance we feel from one another as we connect together because of our shared relationship with Jesus Christ. Let us not underestimate the significance of our connecting with others, especially within the family of God. The manner in which we accept one another reflects our appreciation for and understanding of the way we have been accepted by Christ. ( Romans 15:7) May we both experience that power as well as be an extender of it.

Have a great day EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF BELONGING IN CHRIST!
Carl

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