church camp depression // temporary

Today is the day each year when I am in my "church camp depression" mode. That means another year of camp has went by and it's time to go home again. With this being my 13th year at camp, I think I definitely qualify for the "Church Camp Veteran" title. I know all about it - from avoiding how to be picked at Steal the Bacon (hate that game), to making sure you sit by a fan at Tabernacle, to eating way more junk food in one week that anyone should in a whole year - and I love it. 

As I left the camp for the last time until next year, tears filled my eyes. How can there not be tears when that place has such an impact on me? Church camp is more than just a place for me - it's a community. It's being completely surrounded by others that love and want to serve Christ. It's a time away from the world and it's temptations and troubles. It's 600+ people singing praises to our King and just being in fellowship with one another. 

So, you can understand my pain each year when it's time to leave. Driving away from KBA meant driving back to the real world, where things aren't always so easy and you aren't always with other believers. For some, this means going back to broken homes - parents fighting, feeling unloved or without worth. For others, it means just going back to the mundane responsibilities we have, feeling like God gets lost along the way somewhere. This usually makes me really sad, but today I was reminded of something. 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing: 'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" Revelation 5:13

Those moments at camp, or church, or wherever we feel closest to God are just a glimpse of what it will be like in heaven! We will never stop praising our God. We will never feel alone in our relationship with Him. We will never have to feel the hurts and pain of this world again. How wonderful will that be?? One of the best parts to me is that we'll never have to leave. We get to spend eternity with our Savior, worshiping Him and communing with all the others. 

Another great reminder is that this world is temporary. Our time spent here won't compare to forever spent with Christ. We may feel stuck in whatever we're going through, but in just a little while, it will all be over. Whatever battle we are facing, Jesus has already won for us. Whatever decisions we have to make, God has the answer and wants us to rest in Him. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

So, if you're like me, and counting down the days until you're once again surrounded by so many believers, just remind yourself of the glorious days that are coming - not just days back at a church camp, but days in heaven spent with our Father. I hope this is as much of an encouragement for you as it has been for me today.

:]