Less World = More God

This past week, I had the opportunity to go to a summer camp with my church. It's a camp in Elijay, GA called Camp Highland. I've gone there the past two summers, and I just have to say that it is seriously one of the best places ever.

At Camp Highland, there is a ton of emphasis on God. Of course, right? It's a Christian camp. But here, they take it to a whole new level. There are no watches (except for the counselors), no mirrors, and no phones. You might be wondering how these things   or better yet, lack of things   relate to God.

First of all, the notion of the campers not having watches allows us to live in the present. Think about all the moments you look at the time, and then immediately feel stressed because you're late for an event. God created time for us, but He did not create it to stress us out. Sarah Young, the author of the Jesus Calling devotional book says it this way, "For you, time is a protection; you're a frail creature who can handle only twenty-four-hour segments of life. Time can also be a tyrant, ticking away relentlessly in your mind. Learn to master time, or it will be your master." When we allow time to consume us, we hinder our ability to go throughout the day worry-free and carelessly. But the Lord calls us to live this way: without worries about what is to come.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" If God says that His plans will give us a future and that they will not end in disaster, shouldn't we trust that? Everything God says is true. His plans he has for us all are great; we just have to trust that. To start trusting His plans, I encourage you to live in the present. Don't worry about the time or what's to come. God's got you.

The next thing that Camp Highland does not have is mirrors. To you, this might seem like going a little bit overboard, but it's actually really great. God sees us all as beautiful. In our world today, physical appearance dominates so many people's minds. But God says this: "Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." (Proverbs 31:30). God doesn't look at our physical appearance. He looks at our hearts, our motives, our actions. Instead of focusing on physical appearance, we should be in touch with our hearts in order to grow closer to God.

Finally, the last big distraction in our world is technology. Forms of media from all over are constantly calling out to us; they desire our attention. The world around us and the Kingdom of God are two totally different things. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum.  Wouldn't you rather be immersed in the Kingdom of God, experiencing His truth, His love, and His kindness instead of becoming wrapped up in the chains of media? The Bible warns against gossip and other practices of this world. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be like the world: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." To know and learn about His will, we mustn't copy the world.

This week, I challenge you to disconnect from the world. Don't worry about time or physical appearance or media. God wants all of you, but in order to give yourself all to Him, you must break the ties of this world. 

~em